What approach supports preventing malnutrition through nutrition and hydration?

• A. Universal meals for all residents with no screening.
• B. Rely on residents to report intake without staff monitoring.
• C. Offer only liquids to all residents regardless of needs.
• D. Screening, individualized meal plans, monitoring intake, accommodating needs, assistive feeding, and documenting intake.

Answer: (D)

A proactive, structured approach to preventing malnutrition through nutrition and hydration involves screening for nutritional risk, creating individualized meal plans, monitoring and recording intake, accommodating individual needs and feeding abilities, providing assistive feeding when needed, and documenting intake data. This combination catches problems early, tailor-fits meals to each resident’s needs and preferences, ensures both calories and fluids are tracked, and holds care staff accountable for ongoing nourishment. Without screening, risk factors aren’t identified; without staff monitoring, declines can go unnoticed; offering only liquids or universal meals ignores individual dietary requirements and hydration needs. The comprehensive plan directly supports adequate nutrition and hydration for every resident.