Question

1. What are the differences between nutrition screen and a nutrition assessment? Give examples.

Answer 1

Ans) Screening and assessment imply different processes, with the former indicating risk factors for a deprived nutrition condition and the latter providing the nutrition diagnosis. Both should be routinely performed at hospital admission according to recommended guidelines; however, this is not the reality worldwide, and undernutrition remains highly prevalent in the hospital setting. Therefore, the objective of the current review is to delve into the principles leading to nutrition status deficiencies and how they should be addressed by screening and assessment. A critical appraisal for the reasons associated with the misunderstanding between screening and assessing is proposed without further discussing the many available screening tools while approaching some of the assessment instruments.

- A nutrition assessment is an in-depth evaluation of both objective and subjective data related to an individual's food and nutrient intake, lifestyle, and medical history. Once the data on an individual is collected and organized, the practitioner can assess and evaluate the nutritional status of that person.
- Nutrition screening is the first step in identifying patients who are at risk for nutrition problems or who have undetected malnutrition. It allows for prevention of nutrition-related problems when risks are identified and early intervention when problems are confirmed.

Example:

Nutrition assessment: Anthropometry

Nutrition screening: Malnutrition and Feeding Problems