Malnutrition and Oral Nutrition Support

Flashcards related to malnutrition, its causes, consequences, and nutritional support methods.

Malnutrition (Undernutrition)

A state of nutrient deficiency that causes measurable adverse effects on body composition, function, and clinical outcome.

Nutritional Support

Interventions to improve or maintain nutritional intake for at-risk populations.

Screening for Malnutrition

General assessment tools like BMI, unintentional weight loss, and reduced appetite/intake are used to identify malnutrition.

MUST Score

Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, an effective tool for assessing adults at risk of malnutrition.

Refeeding Syndrome

A potentially fatal condition that occurs when feeding resumes in malnourished individuals, causing electrolyte imbalances.

Enteral Nutrition Support

Nutrition delivered through a tube directly to the stomach or small intestine.

Parenteral Nutrition Support

Nutrition delivered directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system, when enteral feeding is not possible.

Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS)

Products designed to supplement dietary intake, often used when food alone is insufficient to meet nutritional needs.

Therapeutic Interventions

Strategies that include dietary counseling, meal modifications, and the use of nutritional supplements to address malnutrition.

EuroOOPS Study

Research showing that patients at nutritional risk have three times more complications than those not at risk.

NICE Guidelines for Nutrition Support

Guidelines that define criteria for identifying malnutrition and recommend appropriate nutrition support interventions.