title: Nutrition and fluid management.
abstract: Management of fluid intake and nutrition is an essential component of nursing care and should be practised skilfully by all nurses and nursing students. This requirement forms the basis of the fourth essential skills cluster, nutrition and fluid management. The essential skills clusters stipulate key skills and behaviours to be demonstrated to meet the standards for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. This article, the fourth in a series on the essential skills clusters, discusses the core aspects of nutrition and fluid management and emphasises their importance in recovery from illness and in maintaining optimal health.
authors.affiliation: King's College, London, England.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pegram
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bloomfield
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000592:standards*; D012307:Risk Factors; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Dehydration; essential skills clusters; fluid balance; fluid intake; food intake hydration; intravenous therapy; malnutrition; nutrition; nutrition assessment; nutritional requirements; nutritional support; overnutrition; swallowing; undernutrition