Low albumin is associated with morbidity, mortality, and risk of malnutrition because it reflects severity of illness.
Key concepts
Nutrition is an integral part of nursing care. Like air, food is a basic human need.
Nutrition screening is used to identify patients or clients who may be at risk for malnutrition. Screening tools are simple, quick easy to use, and rely on available data.
The Joint Commission stipulates that nutrition screens be performed within 24 hours of admission to a health-care facility, but facilities are free to decide what criteria to include on a screen, what findings indicate risk, and who is to conduct the screen.