Nutrition Feeding and Eating
Jobaz
ATI3.docx
Methods to Assess Nutritional Status
Brooke Lindi
Chamberlain University College of Nursing
NR449: Evidence Based Practice
Dr. Carol Keeth
June 14, 2020
Introduction and Key Points
Chosen Topics and Question
TOPIC 1: Evaluating Nutritional Status: What methods can be used to assess nutritional status? Define the Topic and Question
My understanding of this topic is to select the means that can be applied to evaluate someone's nutritional status. Precisely to decide how malnourished someone is. The person can either be obese or underweight, and both would be considered malnourished. The research topic I chose for this assignment is to examine the different approaches we can use to determine a person’s nutritional status The metabolic panel, lab values, vital signs, anthropometric measurements, and also examining an individual's food consumption are among the few methods we can utilize to determine the nutritional status of a person (Rober, et al., 2019).
Overview/Significance of Problem
As a healthcare provider, assessing the nutritional condition of a client is essential. It is a foundation to provide quality care and guide them towards a healthier lifestyle. Undernourishment a risk factor for many physiological problems. For instance, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type II diabetes mellitus, Coronary heart disease, stroke, heart attack, gallbladder, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, breathing problems, mental illness, and trouble with physical functioning are among the few disorders induced by nutritional deficiencies. Quick recognition of clients at risk of this deficiency is vital to start timely and sufficient nutritional support to prevent the complications (Rober, et al., 2019). Therefore, this paper focuses on exploring nutritional assessment tools that help to evaluate the client's nutrition status and initiate early interventions to provide quality care.
Article Search
I utilized the CINAHL complete search from the school database
For this assignment, I used the same search strategy I used for the ITSS assignment. I choose CINAHL database because I always find it easier to narrow down my search. I used the term methods to assess the nutritional status of cancer patient and nutrition screening tools, I narrowed down my search within the last 5 years, PDF full text, and scholarly article.
Number of articles located
According to the above search methods I used, the view resulted in different sub-articles around 20 with grouping under search ID# and I selected the one has 53 view results. It was easier to open the different articles and to find out if the article is primary and related to my topic. Finally, I chose one article that matches the assignment criteria and sent it to my professor and got approved.
I used another article from the school library, NCBI, and also CDC to support the ideas in the assignment.
Article Findings
According to the credibility of the articles and the assignment criteria, I Picked this article. The article under the method part conforms to the article is a primary study. The article also includes primary source elements which are abstract, introduction, methods, results, and conclusions. Additionally, it is within the last five years with peer reviewed. Also, include references that help to see who and where they received the information from. Overall, the article format is easy to read and understand and able to answer my research topic.
How it addresses the topic
The research aimed to examine the malnutrition strategy practice and nutritional status of patients with oesophageal and gastro-oesophageal cancers and to suggest approaches for developing their nutritional and clinical outcomes (Mak et al., 2016).
Type of Research conducted
This study is descriptive. A descriptive type of study focuses on gaining more information about phenomena occurring in its natural setting without the researchers' manipulation of variables. This retrospective study analyses the clinical outcomes compared with Patient and tumor features, nutritional status, and management practices at specific cancer center (Mak et al., 2016).
Information was gathered from the patient medical record. The variables of this study included patient characteristics, cancer risk factors, tumor characteristics, nutrition parameters, weight changes throughout treatment, and medical results. The nutritional status of the participants was evaluated by the dietitians by utilizing the measurement tool Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and was charted in the electronic medical record (Mak et al., 2016).
According to NCBI, PG- SGA is a patient-reported means for assessing the nutritious condition of the clients with cancer. The tool includes subjective questions like weight, food intake, general symptoms, and activities and function, which is completed by the patient (Mak et al., 2016).
The findings indicated 69 participants were meet the insertion standards. The article showed Patient demographics and tumor characteristics summary via the table. Around 20% of the study group did not have any family support. One-third of the participants were treated with palliative intent. On the other side, 40% of the study group received treatment with a curative plan. Before the study, the participant's median BMI was 25.7 kg/m, and a median loss of 3.53% while in the treatment (Mak et al., 2016).
Evidence for Practice
The overall purpose of the article was to examine the nutritional status and management of practice on groups of patients diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. Later, suggesting plans for enhancing the nutritional and clinical outcomes of the group. Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that during anti-cancer treatment the participant shown wight change. Therefore, the study suggested a protocol for nutrition management for those cancer patients (Mak et al., 2016).
Currently, different components are applying to evaluate the patient. Nutritional screening tools consist of height, weight, patient's chief complaints, or socioeconomic risk for malnutrition. Besides, there are Subjective global assessment tool, the mini nutritional assessment tool, and the malnutrition screening tool. Questioning patients about their dietary intake or food choices are other ways to assess their nutrition status. Vital signs, BMI, basic metabolic panel results are also among the indicators of the nutritional status of a person (Rober, et al., 2019).
The finding of this study has an impact on the current practice because it proves the effects of the assessment tool. It also indicates the importance of this assessment on clinical outcomes. So, early intervention on patient malnutrition is vital to prevent complications and save lives (Mak et al., 2016).
The current healthcare practice performs more in-depth assessments in different areas of the patient. We not only look at the physical appearance of the patient, but we also assess the mental state of the patient. We need to apply a holistic approach while providing care (Rober, et al., 2019).
The article does not disclose the weakness during the study. However, as a descriptive study, most of the assessment collected from the patients may affect by the various variable of interest.
Sharing of Evidence
I would share this information with my coworkers such as nurses, PCT, and any healthcare workers. Especially, healthcare workers who take care cancer patients. Additionally, with my patient and their families. The important of nutrition assessment is an important lesson for any age groups.
The main purpose of sharing this information is for educating others to identify patients who are at risk for undernourishment before they get to a point and get severely sick. This data can teach our patients, health care workers, and family members of the patients. Teaching patients is one of the most valuable things a nurse can do for the patient to prevent disorders.
According to the rule and procedure of the healthcare site, by informing the managers and by their approval, I can share this information with my coworker and patients. I may need printers or scanners accessible to be able to scan this article and give it to others. Another possible option could be handing the article to my supervisor and communicate the way they can address to others. If that is not possible, I can be sending them through emails.
It is necessary to share this information with the nurses to able to provide care based on up to date practices. Nurses are the one who sees the patients often and gets to know their patients well is vital for the plan of care. Therefore, understanding this information will have a positive influence on all the nurses working in the field.
Conclusion
In general, this assignment is critical for a nursing student like me to know the importance of nutrition assessment to provide quality care. Also, I learned evidence-based practices are recourses that keep nurse's knowledge up to date.
Reference
Mak, M., Bell, K., Ng, W., & Lee, M. (2016). Nutritional status, management and clinical outcomes in patients with esophageal and gastro-oesophageal cancers: A descriptive study. Nutrition & Dietetics, 74(3), 229-235. doi:10.1111/1747-0080.12306
Patient interpretation of the Patient-Generated Subjective ... (n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6701615/
Reber, E., Gomes, F., Vasiloglou, M. F., Schuetz, P., & Stanga, Z. (2019). Nutritional Risk Screening and Assessment. Journal of clinical medicine, 8(7), 1065. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8071065
