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How to undertake a nutritional assessment in adults

Last Reviewed: 10/03/2025
Howtoundertakeanutritionalassessmentin

Course

Exclusive quality-assured RCN course.

Available to RCNi Plus subscribers

Applicable for any nurse with an RCNi subscription

Learn how to carry out a comprehensive nutritional assessment.

Who is this resource for?

Explains what the component is for

This resource is aimed at nurses and nursing support workers across all settings and levels of practice, including students of health, social work and care professions.

Course information

This practical module will help you to plan and carry out a nutritional assessment in adults in a variety of healthcare environments, including acute, community and care home settings. Assessment should begin on first contact with the person. It is an ongoing process that can take place over several hours or days. Learning aims and intended outcomes After completing this module, you should be able to: Understand the equipment and preparation needed to carry out an adult nutritional assessment. Identify the variety of skills needed to inform an adult nutritional assessment. Describe the procedure for carrying out an adult nutritional assessment. Understand who is most at risk of developing malnutrition. Disclaimer Please note that information provided by RCNi Learning is not sufficient to ensure competence in the skill. Assessment of competence should take place in line with local practice. Practice should always align with local protocols and procedures, latest guidelines and any regulatory code. All modules should currently be viewed together with available national and local Covid-19 guidelines. For advice, go to www.rcn.org.uk/covid-19

Authors

Carolyn Catherine Johnstone

Lecturer in nursing, School of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland.

The RCN delivers quality-assured and up-to-date resources for the nursing workforce. Reviewed annually, RCN Learn resources meet the RCN Nine Quality Standards.

: 18 Mar 2025.
 https://uatlearnamber.rcn.org.uk/Search/581-Howtoundertakeanutritionalassessmentin.
Last Reviewed: 10/03/2025