Which step of the NCP involves collecting and documenting client information?

The step of the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) that involves collecting and documenting client information is the Assessment phase. During this stage, the dietetic technician gathers comprehensive data about the client through various means, such as interviews, questionnaires, and medical records. This data may include dietary habits, medical histories, biochemical data, and anthropometric measurements.

The purpose of the Assessment phase is to obtain a complete picture of the client’s nutritional status and related needs, which serves as the foundation for subsequent steps in the NCP, including diagnosing nutritional issues and developing appropriate interventions. Accurate and thorough documentation during this stage is crucial, as it ensures that all relevant information is available for analysis and future reference.

In contrast, other steps like Implementation focus on executing the specific nutrition care plan based on the information gathered, while Monitoring and Evaluation involves assessing the effectiveness of the interventions and making necessary adjustments. The Diagnosis step occurs after the assessment and is concerned with interpreting the data collected to identify specific nutrition-related problems. Thus, the Assessment phase is the critical step dedicated to the collection and documentation of client information.