All patients admitted to the home care provider shall undergo nutrition screening within:

• A. 72 hours
• B. 24 hours
• C. 48 hours
• D. 96 hours

Answer: (A)

Screening is a quick, initial check to identify patients who may be at risk for malnutrition so that nutrition care can be started promptly. In home care, the standard timeframe to complete this screening is within seventy-two hours of admission. This window reflects the practical realities of arranging and conducting a home visit while still ensuring at-risk patients are identified early enough to influence their care plan. If screening flags a risk, a full nutrition assessment and a tailored plan should follow. Shorter timeframes like twenty-four or forty-eight hours are more common in hospital settings where visits can occur immediately, whereas waiting longer—such as ninety-six hours—can delay needed interventions.