Nutritional assessment

Definition

Nutritional assessment is the systematic process of evaluating an individual's nutritional status through various methods, including dietary, medical, and laboratory data. It helps determine nutrient deficiencies and excesses impacting overall health, particularly within the hematologic system.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Nutritional assessment can reveal deficiencies that may contribute to anemia and other hematologic conditions.
2. Key components include dietary history, physical examination, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical tests.
3. Biochemical tests often focus on iron levels, vitamin B12, folate, and other nutrients crucial for blood health.
4. Malnutrition identified through nutritional assessment can impact immune function and increase susceptibility to infections.
5. Regular nutritional assessments are critical for patients with chronic diseases affecting the hematologic system.

Review Questions

• What are the key components of a nutritional assessment?
• How can a nutritional assessment identify potential causes of anemia?
• Why is it important to regularly conduct nutritional assessments in patients with hematologic conditions?

Related terms

Dietary History: A record of an individual's food intake over a certain period to identify patterns affecting their health.

Anthropometric Measurements:

Physical measurements of body size and composition used to assess nutritional status.

Biochemical Tests: Laboratory tests that measure nutrient levels in blood or urine to evaluate an individual’s nutritional status.