Nutrition Flashcards
What is a healthy diet?
One which provides the body with the right balance of nutrients
What is a healthy diet visually represented by?
Eatwell Guide
What does the Eatwell Plate show?
The ideal contribution of the different food groups to our diet
Who does the Eatwell Guide apply to?
Most people
What specific groups is it important to recognise that the Eatwell Guide applies to?
- Vegetarians
- Minority ethnic groups
- Overweight
- Healthy BMI
When may the proportions of the Eatwell Guide require adjusting?
In hospital patients who are elderly and/or at nutritional risk
What are the categories on the Eatwell Guide?
- Fruit and veg
- Starchy carbohydrates
- Dairy and alternatives
- Proteins
- Oils and spreads
What are some examples of starchy carbohydrates?
- Potatoes
- Bread
- Rice
- Pasta
What are some example of protein sources?
- Beans
- Pulses
- Fish
- Eggs
- Meat
As well as the food groups, what else forms an important part of nutrition?
Hydration
What can good hydration help to prevent?
- Pressure ulcers
- Constipation
- Blood clots
- Kidney and gallstones
- Heart disease
- Confusion
- Falls
- Memory loss
- Poor oral health
- Diabetic complications
- Dizziness
- UTI
- Incontinence
What is the recommended daily intake of fluids?
2L per day
Is a patient’s nutritional risk static?
No, it can change throughout their admission
How are patients identified as being at nutritional risk?
By nutritional screening
Who usually conducts a nutritional screen for patients?
Nursing staff - all staff should know the process
What are some examples of screening tools used to assess a patient’s nutritional status?
- Leicestershire NST
- MUST
What is the Leicestershire NST?
Leicestershire Nutritional Screening Tool
What is the MUST?
Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool
What should happen to the results of a nutritional assessment?
Recorded in the patient’s notes
What are the steps of MUST?
1 - Measure height and weight to calculate BMI
2 - Note percentage unplanned weight loss
3 - Establish acute disease effect and score
4 - Add scores from steps 1-3
5 - Develop appropriate care plan
What is a high risk score for MUST?
2 or more
What is a medium risk score on MUST?
1
What should happen to patients with a MUST of 2 or more?
Start intervention immediately with dietician input
What should happen to patients with a MUST score of 1?
Monitor closely with food charts for 3 days then decide about further intervention
What are the common underlying causes of malnutrition in older people?
- General function
- Cognitive impairment
- Swallowing problems
- Dentition
- Medication
What aspects of general function can lead to malnutrition?
- Social aspects
- Medical aspects
What social aspects of general function can lead to malnutrition?
- Poverty
- Social isolation
- Difficulty shopping
What medical aspects of general function can lead to malnutrition?
- Stroke
- Arthritis
- Other conditions making it difficult to feed
What is the main cause of cognitive impairment leading to malnutrition in older people?
Dementia