Nutrition & Hydration in Care

This self-paced awareness course uses eight Modules and original fictional activities. Explore everyday nutrition support, consent, reduced intake, dignified meal support, allergies, specialist plans, factual records and escalation. It supports knowledge development and preparation for care roles; it does not award a regulated qualification or clinical/practical competence.

What you need

✓ No formal qualification prerequisite is specified.
✓ Use an accessible internet-enabled device and a way to read or hear the teaching.
✓ Fictional activities do not require employment or access to real care records. Employer procedures, training, authorisation and competence checks remain separate.

Learning time

Approximately 2 hours 51 minutes including video learning, self-study and the final assessment. Individual pace varies.

Module 1 — Nutrition and Hydration in Care

Food and fluids support health and wellbeing. People may need help to obtain, choose or use them because of illness, mobility, communication or other needs. Reduced intake deserves attention rather than an assumption that it is normal ageing.

By the end of this Module, learners will be able to:

✓ Explain nutrition and hydration support in relation to individual needs and agreed plans.

Arthur prefers tea in an agreed easy-grip cup. His plan records an individual fluid arrangement. A jug has been left beyond his reach; no current concern or swallowing change is reported.

Module 2 — Preferences, Consent and Support Plans

Ask what the person wants and provide information in an accessible way. Religious, cultural and personal preferences matter. Consent continues during support and can be withdrawn; a care plan or relative’s request is not automatic permission to proceed.

By the end of this Module, learners will be able to:

✓ Respect choices and seek help with unclear or conflicting nutrition instructions.

Amina declines the meal offered and asks for a culturally familiar alternative. The current plan permits ordinary foods, but the kitchen cannot confirm the ingredients of the proposed substitute.

Module 3 — Recognising Reduced Intake and Concern

Notice and report changes in appetite, weight, ability to obtain food, intake and swallowing. The NHS describes signs associated with dehydration and malnutrition; observation of a sign does not establish the cause or a diagnosis.

By the end of this Module, learners will be able to:

✓ Identify changes needing advice without diagnosing or undertaking untrained screening.

Eleanor says she feels dizzy when standing and it does not settle. She is passing less urine than usual. Her record shows reduced intake; no diagnosis or restriction details are supplied.

Module 4 — Supporting Meals and Drinks

Support independence, adequate time, suitable access and agreed utensils. Ask permission and follow the individual plan and your training. The course does not specify feeding positions, bite sizes, sip techniques or universal equipment choices.

By the end of this Module, learners will be able to:

✓ Describe dignified, plan-led assistance and reliable allergen checks.

Martha has a recorded peanut allergy. A substitute dessert arrives without reliable ingredient information. Another worker says that “vegan” means it must be suitable.

Module 5 — Special Diets and Swallowing Plans

Coughing or choking during intake, a wet-sounding voice, food sticking or recurrent chest problems can require clinical advice. They do not establish a diagnosis. Follow the current swallowing plan and arrange urgent help for new concerns; serious breathing difficulty or an acute emergency requires emergency action.

By the end of this Module, learners will be able to:

✓ Recognise swallowing concerns and obtain competent help without changing treatment.

Florence has a specialist swallowing plan. A relative brings juice. The available copy of the plan does not say whether this drink can be provided or how it should be prepared.

Module 6 — Monitoring and Accurate Records

Records support continuity of care. Use the authorised tool and units, record what was offered and consumed when known, and identify any estimate clearly. Attribute the person’s words rather than adding a motive or diagnosis.

By the end of this Module, learners will be able to:

✓ Record observed intake accurately and distinguish recording from urgent escalation.

At 12:30, Sam offers 200 ml of an agreed drink. Arthur drinks 120 ml measured using the approved chart method and says “I do not want more”. The shift lead is told at 12:35.

Module 7 — Escalation and Team Communication

Use current NHS advice and the person’s local emergency arrangements. For dehydration concerns, unusual tiredness, persistent dizziness on standing, reduced urine or rapid breathing/heart rate can require urgent GP or NHS 111 advice. New swallowing difficulties also require urgent clinical advice. Report observations rather than diagnose.

By the end of this Module, learners will be able to:

✓ Choose proportionate urgent or emergency help without waiting for routine management permission.

In separate fictional situations, Eleanor has persistent dizziness on standing and reduced urine; Thomas has signs of dehydration and is newly confused with cold skin. No diagnosis is supplied.

Module 8 — Mealtime Scenarios and Review

Apply the person’s current plan, consent and role boundaries together. A plan can contain risks and restrictions without removing the person’s rights. Clarify conflicting information and seek competent review rather than offer a universal substitute.

By the end of this Module, learners will be able to:

✓ Justify a safe response combining choice, current plans, accurate records and escalation.

A person declines an agreed modified meal and asks for another food. Its suitability is unverified. A separate person has reduced intake, reduced urine and an incomplete chart. A third meal may have had allergen cross-contact but has not been served.

Final Assessment

Choose one correct answer for each of 15 multiple-choice questions. Read every option and complete your own assessment. The pass mark is 80%, requiring 12 correct answers. Check your device and internet connection, work in a quiet place and follow platform instructions about permitted resources.