Nutrition in Wound Healing
Resource to help raise awareness of the role of nutrition in wound healing
Identifying Malnutrition - Points to Consider
Clinical judgement should be used longside the various screening tools and methods. Just looking at, and talking with the patient can reveal whether the individual may be at risk of malnutrition. Through looking at the patient a quick assessment can be made.
Examples of this include:
- Does the patient look underweight?
- Do the patient's clothes look loose?
- What is the skin condition of the patient?
Those that are underweight may be at increased risk of malnutrition, whilst loose clothes could be a sign of recent weight loss. Poor skin condition may indicate poor nutritional intake, and were a patient is dehydrated, their skin may appear inelastic with prominent veins.
The nurse can also gain information as to whether the patient may be at increased risk of malnutrition by asking questions such as
- Does the patient have difficulty eating?
- Have the patient's eating habits changed recently?
- Are any foods being avoided?
- Is the patient apathetic or lacking in energy?
(Ward and Rollins, 1999)
