Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002)
Evidence-based nutritional screening tool for hospitalised patients. Identifies patients who may benefit from nutritional support. Validated by Kondrup et al. 2003 in 128 RCTs. Endorsed by ESPEN as the preferred in-hospital nutritional screening tool. Score 3 or above = nutritional risk; start nutritional support plan.
Score interpretation
NRS-2002 below 3 -- no immediate nutritional risk identified
→ No formal nutritional support plan required at this time; rescreen weekly during admission; encourage oral intake with food fortification; ensure hydration; document screening result in notes.
NRS-2002 3 or above -- patient at nutritional risk; nutritional support plan required
→ Refer to dietitian within 24-48 hours; calculate energy requirements (25-30 kcal/kg/day) and protein needs (1.2-1.5 g/kg/day); start oral nutritional supplements (ONS) as first line; if below 60% oral intake after 3 days of ONS consider enteral nutrition via NG tube; if gut non-functional consider parenteral nutrition (PN) via PICC/CVC; especially important in haematology/oncology: pre-BMT, during chemotherapy (mucositis risk); monitor response: weight, albumin, prealbumin; ensure community dietitian referral on discharge.
Interpretation bands for the NRS-2002. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Kondrup J et al. Nutritional risk screening (NRS 2002): a new method based on an analysis of controlled clinical trials. Clin Nutr. 2003;22(3):321-336.
- NICE NG22. Nutrition support for adults: oral nutrition support, enteral tube feeding and parenteral nutrition. NICE. 2006 (updated 2017).
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Enteral feeds · Nutritional support
- Vitamins with minerals and trace elements · Parenteral nutrition supplement
- Dairy products · Nutritional source (calcium, protein, vitamin D)
- Parenteral nutrition supplements · Parenteral nutrition
- Levodopa-Carbidopa (Co-Careldopa) · Dopamine Precursor / Decarboxylase Inhibitor
- Palivizumab · RSV Prophylaxis — Monthly Monoclonal Antibody (High-Risk Infants)
- Major Haemorrhage / Massive Transfusion · BCSH; RCOA; RCEM; RCS — BCSH Guidelines
- Anaemia Investigation · BSH / NICE
- Splenomegaly Workup · BSH; BMJ Best Practice
- Deep Vein Thrombosis Diagnosis and Treatment · NICE CG144 / NICE NG158
- Sickle Cell Crisis · BSH 2021 / BCSH
- Neutropenic Sepsis · NICE CG151 2012 / ESMO
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.