Nutrional assessment is a detailed examination of metabolic,nutritional or functional variables by an expert clinician,dietitian or nutrition nurse. it is a longer process than screening and it leads to an appropriate side effects and in some cases special feeding techniques.
it is based upon a full history clinical examination and where appropriate laboratory invertigations including muscle function and bioelectrical impedance analyses (BIA).it will include the functional consequences of undernutrition such as muscle weakness fatigue and depression it includes gastrointestinal assessment including dentition swallowing bowel function etc. it necessitates an understanding of the interpretation of laboratory zinc calcium and micronutrients. subjective global is a widely used method of assessment