title: Determining nutritional status of the elderly surgical patient: steps in the assessment process.
abstract: Many variables contribute to complications of nutritional depletion, and any complication can be caused by nutrient deficiencies alone. A broad knowledge of contributing factors, clinical signs and symptoms, and laboratory test results equips the nurse to quickly and accurately identify a malnourished patient. The perioperative team then can initiate steps to support the patient through the surgical and recovery process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Collinsworth
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D009737:Nursing Records; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009871:Operating Room Nursing / Q000379:methods*