Outline the steps of a routine nutrition assessment in nursing practice.

• A. Nutrition diagnosis, treatment plan, follow-up.
• B. Nutrition screening, history intake, physical examination, anthropometrics, laboratory data, dietary intake assessment, and functional status.
• C. Only dietary intake and weight measurement.
• D. Patient interview only.

Answer: (B)

A comprehensive, data-driven process that starts with screening and proceeds through collecting information across multiple domains best captures what a routine nutrition assessment in nursing practice involves. Begin with nutrition screening to quickly identify individuals who may be at risk and need a fuller assessment. Then gather a nutrition history to understand medical conditions, medications, dietary patterns, and social factors that influence intake. A focused physical examination can reveal visible signs of malnutrition or nutrient deficiencies. Anthropometric measurements, such as height, weight, BMI, and body composition, provide objective data on growth and changes over time. Review relevant laboratory data to add objective context to nutritional status, recognizing that labs complement but do not replace clinical information. Assess dietary intake through methods like recalls or dietary histories to estimate nutrient adequacy and patterns. Finally, evaluate functional status to see how nutrition and energy affect daily activities and overall resilience. When these elements are integrated, they form a complete picture that guides nutrition diagnosis, goals, and care planning. The other options fall short because they either focus on a narrow aspect (like only intake or only interview) or skip essential screening and objective data, leaving an incomplete view of the patient’s nutritional needs.