Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST)

Definition

The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) is a screening tool used to identify adults who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. It assesses nutritional status through body mass index (BMI), weight loss, and acute disease effect.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. MUST consists of three components: BMI score, weight loss score, and acute disease effect score.
2. A higher MUST score indicates a greater risk of malnutrition.
3. It is widely used in various healthcare settings including hospitals, care homes, and community care.
4. The tool helps healthcare professionals develop appropriate nutrition plans to improve patient outcomes.
5. MUST is particularly crucial for patients with hematological conditions as proper nutrition can significantly impact their recovery and overall wellness.

Review Questions

• What are the three components assessed by the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST)?
• How does the MUST score relate to the risk of malnutrition?
• Why is the MUST tool especially important for patients with hematological conditions?

Related terms

Body Mass Index (BMI):

A measure of body fat based on height and weight.

Nutritional Assessment:

A comprehensive evaluation of a person's nutritional status using medical history, dietary information, physical examination, and laboratory tests.

Hematologic Wellness: The overall health and functioning of the blood and its components, including red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma.