When measuring a patient's nutrition, what should you record?

Recording the percentage of food and nutritious liquids consumed by a patient is essential for assessing their nutritional status and overall health. This measurement provides valuable insights into the patients' dietary intake, which is crucial for determining if they are meeting their nutritional needs or require dietary modifications or interventions.

By tracking the percentage of food and liquids consumed, caregivers can identify trends in a patient’s eating habits, such as whether they are consistently under-eating or missing crucial food groups. This information is beneficial for healthcare providers when making decisions about nutritional support, creating meal plans, and monitoring progress over time.

The other options do not provide comprehensive information regarding a patient’s nutritional intake. Measuring the amount of fluid excreted primarily focuses on fluid loss rather than nutritional consumption, while only taking into account liquids that can't be spilled does not give a full picture of the patient's food intake, as it excludes solid foods and other important beverages. Thus, recording the percentage consumed is the most effective way to evaluate and manage a patient’s nutrition.