Which of the following is a primary purpose of nutrition screening in a hospital setting?

The primary purpose of nutrition screening in a hospital setting is to provide direction for patient care. This process is designed to identify individuals at risk for malnutrition or who may need further nutritional assessment and intervention. By effectively determining nutritional risk early in a patient's hospital stay, healthcare professionals can develop appropriate care plans that include nutritional goals and interventions tailored to individual patient needs.

While dietary supplements may be necessary for some patients, determining this need is secondary to the broader goal of ensuring that all patients receive adequate nutritional support as part of their overall care. Assessing physical activity levels and monitoring laboratory results can support a patient’s overall health but also fall outside the immediate goals of nutrition screening. The screening process primarily addresses nutritional status and risks, facilitating timely and effective interventions that enhance patient outcomes.