Give an example scenario of a patient who would require nutrition services while in the hospital. Conceptually, go through the 4 NCP steps and describe the information obtained in each step. In addition, explain the components of a PES format that is used under nutrition diagnosis.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The NCP consists of four distinct, but interrelated and connected steps: nutrition assessment, nutrition diagnosis, nutrition intervention, and nutrition monitoring and evaluation. Nutrition assessment includes observing nonverbal and verbal cues, determining appropriate data to collect, selecting and applying appropriate tools and procedures, validating the data, etc. Nutrition diagnosis includes finding patterns and relationships among data, making inferences, determining and prioritizing the importance of the problem, etc. Nutrition intervention includes setting up goals, defining nutrition prescription, matching up and initiating intervention strategies based on client's need, etc. Finally, nutrition monitoring and evaluation includes selecting valid indicators, comparing the obtained data with a reference standard, determining positive and negative factors of the process, and deciding between discharge or continuation of the nutrition care. Nutrition diagnoses are written in a PES (problem, etiology, signs/symptoms) format that lists the problem, its cause, and appropriate defining characteristics.