Describe a nutritional risk screening for a patient with HIV infection

Answer 1

Nutritional risk screening should be conducted on all patients with HIV infection, with follow-up assessment for identified risk factors. Initial screening may include items from a self-screener that can identify general risk factors related to access to food, consumption of food groups, symptoms, and so forth. An assessment can then be completed on patients who are at risk, or if baseline measurements are desired. Physical factors, biochemical factors, nutrition-related behaviors, and social factors are assessed. Physical evaluation should include at least the minimum dataset of height, weight, and body mass index. In addition, physical measures such as anthropometry, body composition, and examination for clinical signs of over- and under-nutrition can help to provide an overview of the patient's nutritional status and identify issues to address. Biochemical measures will include disease-related measures, nutrition-related measures, and selected measures of concomitant disease factors such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Patient food access and food choices should be explored with consideration to psychosocial and economic factors.