Which Tools are Commonly Used for Nutrition Assessment?
Several tools are commonly used in nursing to assess nutritional status:
1. Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST): This tool helps to identify adults who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. It is quick, simple, and can be used in various healthcare settings. 2. Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA): Specifically designed for the elderly, the MNA evaluates nutritional status through a questionnaire and physical examination. 3. Subjective Global Assessment (SGA): Combines patient history and physical examination to assess nutritional status. It is widely used in clinical settings. 4. 24-hour Dietary Recall: Involves interviewing the patient to recall all foods and beverages consumed in the past 24 hours. 5. Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ): Assesses dietary patterns over a longer period, typically the past month or year. 6. Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002): Used primarily in hospitals to identify patients at risk of malnutrition and to plan appropriate nutritional interventions.
