A patient must be NPO or maintained on IVs or clear liquids for how many days before scoring a 1 on the Braden nutrition subscale?

The correct answer is five days. In the Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk, nutrition is a critical component, and the subscale assesses the patient's nutritional status based on specific indicators, including intake levels. When a patient has been NPO (nothing by mouth), receiving IV fluids, or limited to clear liquids for five consecutive days, their nutritional intake is significantly compromised, which may increase their risk for skin breakdown and pressure ulcers. Therefore, a score of 1 on the nutrition subscale reflects this level of nutritional inadequacy, allowing healthcare providers to identify patients who may require further nutritional assessment or intervention to prevent complications such as pressure ulcers.