In weight assessment for MDS, when should the resident be weighed again?

• A. If last weight was more than 30 days ago or not available
• B. If last weight was recorded within 7 days
• C. If resident requests
• D. If weight is within normal range

Answer: (A)

Regular, timely weight data are essential in MDS to monitor for weight loss and malnutrition risk. The guideline is to obtain a resident’s weight at least every 30 days or whenever there is no recent weight on file. If the last weight was recorded more than 30 days ago or there is no weight in the record, a new measurement should be taken. This ensures the nutrition assessment reflects current status and supports detecting meaningful changes promptly. Weighing within a week or only on resident request isn’t the standard trigger, and a normal weight doesn’t remove the need for ongoing monitoring, since weight can change with illness, medications, or fluid shifts.