Nursing care plan for altered nutrition less than body requirements

Introduction

Altered nutrition is an important component of long-term care, and is commonly a component of nursing care plans. It is important to consider when designing an individualized care plan for a patient with altered nutrition because it can improve the quality of care and outcomes that they receive. The overall goal of an altered nutrition care plan is to ensure that a patient's nutritional needs are met in order to optimize their health.

Assessment

The assessment of altered nutrition starts with a thorough review of the patient's medical history and physical examination. The assessment should include an evaluation of the patient's dietary habits, past medical history and any relevant laboratory tests. This assessment will help to identify any potential risk factors for malnutrition or other nutrition-related problems. Additionally, the patient's current nutritional needs should be determined so that appropriate nutrition interventions can be implemented.

Nursing Diagnosis

Once the assessment is complete, a nursing diagnosis can be identified. This is typically based on the patient's specific signs and symptoms, as well as the results of the assessment. Common nursing diagnoses related to altered nutrition include: decreased intake or absorption of nutrients, impaired nutritional status, and inadequate dietary intake. These diagnoses can help guide the development of the individualized care plan.

Outcomes

Once a diagnosis is identified, the outcomes for the patient must be established. Common outcome goals for patients with altered nutrition are: improvement in nutrition status, increased intake of nutritious and/or calorie-dense foods, improved digestion and absorption of nutrients, reduced symptoms associated with malnourishment, and improved activities of daily living.

Interventions

Based on the patient's diagnosis and outcomes, the interventions for the plan of care can be developed. These interventions will vary depending on the individual, but may include dietary modifications, vitamin and mineral supplementation, and possibly medications to improve digestion and absorption of nutrients. Additionally, the patient should be monitored closely and encouraged to engage in a healthy lifestyle.

Rationales

Additionally, the nurse must provide rationale for each intervention, highlighting why that particular intervention is being utilized. This can help to ensure that the patient understands why they are receiving certain treatments and provides a sense of trust that the care they are receiving is evidence-based.

Evaluation

Finally, the evaluation of the nursing care plan for altered nutrition less than body requirements should be completed. This includes monitoring the patient's response to the interventions, assessing their progress, and making any needed adjustments. Additionally, patient education and support should be provided throughout the process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, altered nutrition is an important component of long-term care, and requires a comprehensive understanding of the patient's nutritional needs. Through careful assessment and evaluation of the patient, a personalized care plan can be created which provides the necessary interventions for improved nutrition and health. Finally, monitoring and continual evaluation is important to ensure that the interventions are effective and providing the desired outcomes.

FAQs

• what is Altered Nutrition?
  Altered nutrition is an important component of long-term care, and refers to changes in a person’s nutritional state due to dietary habits, a medical condition or aging.
• What is included in an altered nutrition care plan?
  An altered nutrition care plan should include an assessment, nursing diagnosis, goals and outcomes, interventions, rationale, and evaluation.
• What is the goal of an altered nutrition care plan?
  The goal of an altered nutrition care plan is to ensure that a patient's nutritional needs are met in order to optimize their health.
• How is an altered nutrition care plan monitored?
  An altered nutrition care plan should be monitored throughout the process by assessing the patient's response to the interventions, assessing their progress, and making any needed adjustments.
• What is the importance of an altered nutrition care plan?
  An altered nutrition care plan is important as they can help improve the quality of care that a patient receives, making sure that their nutritional needs are being met in order to optimize their health.