In hospital settings, which tool is commonly used to screen for malnutrition risk in adults?

In hospital settings, which tool is commonly used to screen for malnutrition risk in adults?

• A. BMI chart.
• B. Blood glucose meter.
• C. Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST).
• D. Waist-to-hip ratio.

Answer: (C)

Screening for malnutrition risk in hospitalized adults relies on a practical, validated method that assesses more than one factor to catch at‑risk individuals who might not look undernourished by a single measure. The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, or MUST, is designed for quick use at admission and during care. It combines three elements: BMI (or an alternative if height or weight isn’t available), unintentional weight loss over a defined period, and the impact of acute disease on the person’s ability to eat. Each element gets a score, and the total places a patient into a risk category that guides next steps. If someone is flagged as at risk, a full nutrition assessment by a dietitian follows to tailor interventions such as dietary changes, supplementation, or feeding support. A BMI chart alone isn’t sufficient because it misses recent weight loss and the effects of acute illness. A blood glucose meter measures blood sugar, not nutritional risk. Waist‑to‑hip ratio focuses on fat distribution and cardiometabolic risk, not overall malnutrition risk. MUST specifically targets the likelihood of malnutrition through multiple relevant factors, making it the most appropriate screening tool in hospital settings.

Screening for malnutrition risk in hospitalized adults relies on a practical, validated method that assesses more than one factor to catch at‑risk individuals who might not look undernourished by a single measure. The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, or MUST, is designed for quick use at admission and during care. It combines three elements: BMI (or an alternative if height or weight isn’t available), unintentional weight loss over a defined period, and the impact of acute disease on the person’s ability to eat. Each element gets a score, and the total places a patient into a risk category that guides next steps. If someone is flagged as at risk, a full nutrition assessment by a dietitian follows to tailor interventions such as dietary changes, supplementation, or feeding support.

A BMI chart alone isn’t sufficient because it misses recent weight loss and the effects of acute illness. A blood glucose meter measures blood sugar, not nutritional risk. Waist‑to‑hip ratio focuses on fat distribution and cardiometabolic risk, not overall malnutrition risk. MUST specifically targets the likelihood of malnutrition through multiple relevant factors, making it the most appropriate screening tool in hospital settings.