Nutrition Screening and Care Flashcards

A Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) is reviewing the components of a newly admitted resident's initial nutrition screen. Which of the following pieces of data is considered an anthropometric measurement?

Answer: Body Mass Index (BMI)

Anthropometric measurements are physical measurements of the human body. Body Mass Index (BMI), which is calculated from height and weight, is a key anthropometric measure used in nutrition screening to assess body composition and potential nutritional risk. Serum albumin is a biochemical lab value, appetite is a subjective report, and swallowing difficulty is a clinical observation.

During a nutrition screen, a CDM notes a resident has experienced a 7% weight loss in the last 30 days. According to common guidelines, what is the next appropriate step?

Answer: Document the finding and refer the resident to the Registered Dietitian (RDN) for further assessment.

A significant unintentional weight loss, such as >5% in 30 days, is a major indicator of nutritional risk. The CDM's role is to identify and document this risk and then refer to the Registered Dietitian (RDN), who is qualified to perform a comprehensive assessment and determine the appropriate intervention.

Which of the following is a primary goal of nutrition screening in a long-term care facility?

Answer: To identify residents who are at nutritional risk.

Nutrition screening is a rapid, systematic process used to identify individuals who may have a nutrition problem or be at risk for developing one. Its primary purpose is not to diagnose or treat, but to quickly flag those who need a more comprehensive nutritional assessment by a dietitian.

A CDM is using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) to screen a resident. Which of the following questions is a component of this specific screening tool?

Answer: Has food intake declined in the past 3 months?

The Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) is a validated screening tool that includes six questions/components: decline in food intake, recent weight loss, mobility, psychological stress or acute disease, neuropsychological problems (dementia/depression), and BMI. The other options are not part of the MNA-SF.

When gathering data for a nutrition screen, which of the following would be considered a clinical sign of potential malnutrition?

Answer: Poor wound healing and brittle, dry hair.

Poor wound healing, along with changes in hair, skin, and nails, are recognized physical (clinical) signs that can indicate underlying malnutrition or specific nutrient deficiencies. Food preferences, diet orders, and normal lab values do not, by themselves, indicate a clinical sign of malnutrition.

A new resident in a skilled nursing facility has poorly fitting dentures and is observed pocketing food in their cheeks. The CDM should identify this as a potential problem in which area of the nutrition care process?

Answer: Dietary intake

Poorly fitting dentures and pocketing food are clinical signs that directly impact the resident's ability to consume food, falling under the domain of dietary intake. This can lead to reduced consumption and nutritional risk. While it may influence future menu planning, the immediate problem relates to the resident's ability to eat.