You get a consultation if necessary, just as you would for any other medical condition.

You, or someone, needs to use a system to quantify the nutritional status and needs of your patient. Obviously, we have been using the Scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) to determine the nature and extent of nutritional management.

• Standardized and scored history and physical.
• Obviously the patient has to be able to help.
• Otherwise a relative or caregiver familiar with the person.
• Keep in mind it's a good idea to validate all historical information for all patients with someone who knows the person, especially if the person is elderly and subject to memory deficits.
• To the right is the standard PG-SGA form you should be pretty familiar with by now.
• Click on it for the full-size worksheet.

Awareness that nutritional requirements change, that each person's situation is unique and that you may need to seek help is the key.

I certainly couldn't have done this unit on my own. Have I ever got people to thank.