NUTRITION CARE ALERTS

1
NUTRITION CARE ALERTS
UNINTENDED WEIGHT LOSS
WARNING SIGNS OF POOR NUTRITION NUTRITIONEa
ting a well balanced diet based on individual
need and condition. ?Needs help to eat or
drink ?Eats less than half of meals or snacks
served ?Has mouth pain ?Difficulty chewing or
swallowing ?Has coughing or choking while
eating ?Trouble using utensils ?Has sadness,
crying spells or withdraws from others ?Is
confused, wanders or paces     WARNING
SIGNS OF POOR NUTRITION HYDRATIONDrinking
the proper amount of fluid. Most residents
should consume 6 cups of liquid each
day.     ?Drinks less than 6 cups of liquids per
day ?Has dry mouth or cracked lips ?Has sunken
eyes or dark urine ?Needs help drinking from cup
or glass ?Has trouble swallowing
liquids ?Frequent vomiting, diarrhea or
fever ?Is easily confused/tired      

• ACTION
• STEPS
• ? Ask resident if anything is wrong
• ? Encourage resident to eat
• ? Offer alternative foods and beverages
• ? Help residents who cant feed themselves
• ? Provide oral care before meals
• ? Position resident for feeding as directed
• ? Dont rush resident who is eating
• ? Record meal/snack intake? Notify nursing staff
  if resident has trouble using utensils

DEHYDRATION
ACTION STEPS

• Encourage resident to drink everytime you see the
  resident
• Offer 2 to 4 ounces of water or liquid frequently
• Record fluid intake
• Offer ice chips frequently
• Offer sips of liquid between bites of food
• If resident cannot drink without help, offer the
  appropriate assistance
• Make sure pitcher and cup can be lifted by
  resident
• Drink fluids with resident, if allowed

Adapted with permission by the Nutrition
Screening Initiative, a project of the American
Academy of Family Physicians, American Dietetic
Association, and National Council on the Aging,
Inc., and funded in part by a grant from Ross
Products Division, Abbott Laboratories, Inc.
These materials were developed by the National
Policy and Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging
at Florida International University through
grants from the US Administration on Aging and US
Health Care Financing Administration.