Which finding would prompt further assessment for nutritional risk?

Which finding would prompt further assessment for nutritional risk?

• A. Unintentional weight loss in the past 6 months
• B. Stable weight for 1 year
• C. Regular exercise
• D. Healthy appetite

Answer: (A)

Unplanned weight loss is a major red flag for nutritional risk. When weight declines without the person aiming for it, it can indicate inadequate intake, increased metabolic needs from illness, or malabsorption, all of which warrant a deeper nutritional assessment to identify causes and appropriate interventions. Early detection of this change helps prevent or mitigate malnutrition and its complications. In contrast, stable weight over a year suggests the person’s energy balance has been adequate during that period, which lowers immediate concern for nutritional risk. Regular exercise is a positive indicator of overall health and activity, and a healthy appetite implies daily intake is likely sufficient. While none of these alone guarantees perfect nutrition, they’re less suggestive of current malnutrition risk than unintentional weight loss.

Unplanned weight loss is a major red flag for nutritional risk. When weight declines without the person aiming for it, it can indicate inadequate intake, increased metabolic needs from illness, or malabsorption, all of which warrant a deeper nutritional assessment to identify causes and appropriate interventions. Early detection of this change helps prevent or mitigate malnutrition and its complications.

In contrast, stable weight over a year suggests the person’s energy balance has been adequate during that period, which lowers immediate concern for nutritional risk. Regular exercise is a positive indicator of overall health and activity, and a healthy appetite implies daily intake is likely sufficient. While none of these alone guarantees perfect nutrition, they’re less suggestive of current malnutrition risk than unintentional weight loss.