Category: Medical assessments

Malnutrition affects 40–50% of critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and is associated with worse clinical outcomes. Early and accurate nutritional screening is crucial for identifying at-risk patients, and the modified Nutrition Risk in Critically Ill (mNUTRIC) score has emerged as the most effective and widely used tool for this purpose.

According to a 2012 study published in *PMC*, inaccurate estimations of patient weight by critical care staff were common and could potentially cause harm from dosing errors. This highlights why precise height and weight measurements are foundational to safe and effective medical care.

With a prevalence of swallowing problems at nearly 7% in the general population, the eat 10 questionnaire, or EAT-10, serves as a crucial initial screening tool for dysphagia. This quick, self-administered survey is used by healthcare professionals to evaluate a patient's perception of their swallowing difficulties.

According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF), the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score is a standardized method for assessing the extent of scalp hair loss. A high score on this scale signifies a severe disease state, indicating significant hair loss on the scalp, and is a key factor in determining treatment strategies.

According to UNICEF, malnutrition is a staggering global burden, with more than 3 million child deaths annually associated with it, making rapid screening tools essential. A normal MUAC measurement is a quick and effective indicator of nutritional status, but the specific circumference value varies significantly depending on age and other factors. This tool is crucial for health workers, particularly in resource-limited settings.