A comprehensive nutritional assessment should be performed prior to central line placement for parenteral nutrition (PN) and include anthropometrics, clinical information, nutrition intake history, and biochemical data. This assessment establishes baseline nutrition measurements, identifies deficits, determines risk factors, and identifies medical or psychosocial factors influencing nutritional support. The goals are to achieve adequate nutritional status and determine if malnutrition is present or developing. Nutritional support and monitoring must be an ongoing process. Parenteral nutrition requiring access to a central vein requires documentation of proper central line placement in the superior vena cava.

1. A comprehensive nutritional assessment should be
performed to determine the appropriateness of PN prior to
central line placement.
Goals of Nutritional Assessment
 Establish baseline subjective and objective nutrition
measurements
 Identify Nutrition deficits
 Determine Nutrition risk factors
 Identify any medical or psychosocial factors that may
influence nutritional support

2.  The main goal of Parenteral Nutrition is to achieve
adequate nutritional status and positive nitrogen
balance.
 Evaluating nutritional status and determining the
presence of, or risk of developing malnutrition is the
main goal of any nutritional assessment.
 It does not stop with the first evaluation, but must be as
ongoing process to monitor the adequacy and
effectiveness of nutritional support measures.

3. The four basic components of nutritional assessment
include:
 1. Anthropometrics
 2. Clinical Information
 3. Nutrition Intake History
 4. Biochemical Data

4.  The most common anthropometrics used in the hospital
setting are height and weight.
 Current body weight is compared with usual and ideal
body weight.
 Weight loss is a good indicator of nutritional status.
 Unintentional weight loss of more than 5% in 1 month or
10% in 6 months is clinically significant.
 BMI (Body Mass Index) = weight in kgs divided by height
in meters squared, used as index for both obesity and
malnutrition.
 Inspection of Body fat distribution via limb circumference
and skinfold thickness.

5. Clinical information can be obtained from many different
sources which include:
 Medical record
 Physician and other health care professionals
 Patient/Family interviews
 Physical appearance
 Psychosocial evaluation

6. Site Some Possible deficiency
Skin Dry and scaling.
Pettechiae, Ecchymosis
Follicular hyperkeratosis
Pellagrous dermatosis
“Flaky Paint” dermatosis
Vit A
VIt C or K
Vit A,C or Essential Fatty acid
Niacin, Tryptophan
Protein
Hair Dull, dry thin and brittle Protein and Essential Fatty Acid
Eyes Eyelid lining and whites pale
Bitot’s spots(buildup of keratin debris)
Corners of eyes cracked, eyelids red inflamed
Cornea dull, milky hazy or opaque
Anemia
Vit A
Riboflavin and Niacin
Vit A
Mouth Magenta tongue, atrophied taste buds
Glossitis
Bleeding Gums
Cheilosos(inflammation mouth/lips)
Angular stomatitis
Riboflavin
Niacin, Folate, Vit B12
Vitamin C
Riboflavin, Pyridoxine
Riboflavin, Niacin, Iron, Pyroxine, Vit B12
General
Appearance
Edema
Muscle wasting
Decreased subcutaneous fat
Protein
Protein-Calorie
Malnutrition
Neurologic Disorientation
Neuropathy
Thiamin, Niacin
Thiamin, Copper, Vit B 12
Adult and Enteral Parenteral Nutrition Handbook, UVA Health System Nutrition Services

7.  Fecal Fat Test: Measures the amount of fat in the stool,
which helps estimate the percentage of dietary fat that
the body does not absorb. The amount of fat absorption
indicates how well the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and
intestines are working.
 Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, EGD: An EGD may be
performed to diagnose structural or functional
abnormalities of the esophagus, stomach, and/or
duodenum.
 Gastric emptying scan: Method for measuring gastric
motility. It determines how fast the stomach empties food
into the small intestine after eating foods containing a
radioisotope.

8.  Upper GI (gastrointestinal) series (also called barium
swallow). Upper GI series is a diagnostic test that examines
the organs of the upper part of the digestive system: the
esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first section of the
small intestine). Barium is swallowed and X-rays are then
taken to evaluate the digestive organs.
 Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
ERCP is a procedure that allows the doctor to diagnose and
treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and
pancreas.
 CT-Scan: Computed tomography with contrast and small
bowel radiography with either barium or oral water soluble
contrast can differentiate obstruction from ileus. Contrast
radiography is also fairly accurate in determining partial

9.  Religious and cultural preferences
 Patient and/or caregiver ability to learn and safely
manage PN in the home
 Home environment/safety (eg, running water,
cleanliness, storage, refrigeration, electricity)
 Compliance

10.  Obtain 24 hour food recall and 3 day food record
 Food Habits, including quality and quantity of ingested
nutrients or supplements
 Current appetite and changes in appetite
 Gastrointestinal problems. Frequency/onset and s/s.
 Factors that increase needs (eg, decubiti, surgical or
surgical wounds, pregnancy, lactation)
 Obtain history of food intolerances or allergies
 Assess for chewing or swallowing issues
 Assess for motor skills interfering with eating
 Ascertain information re: any parenteral or enteral use
in the past

11.  Serum Albumin: Major protein synthesized by the liver
that maintains plasma oncotic pressure and important
carrier of substances such as metabolites, enzymes,
drugs, metals and hormones in the circulation.
o Since albumin levels decrease during stress and illness it is not
always a good indicator.
 Prealbumin: Transports thyroxine and carrier for retinol-
binding protein
 Serum Transferrin: Transports iron in the plasma.

12.  Nitrogen Balance: The difference between dietary intake
of nitrogen (mainly protein) and its excretion (as urea
and waste products).
o Healthy adults ingest the same as they excrete.
o A negative nitrogen balance occurs with wasting, fasting and
fevers, resulting in loss of body protein.
o Accuracy depends on detailed 24 hour intake and 24 hour urine
collection.
 Total Lymphocyte count (TLC): Reflects a decline in the
immune system and therefore proposed as a useful
indicator of nutritional status.
 A comprehensive metabolic panel: A group of blood
tests. They provide an overall picture of the body's
chemical balance and metabolism and a provides a
baseline.

13.  Stool analysis: A stool analysis is a series of tests done
on a stool (feces) sample to help diagnose certain
conditions affecting the digestive tract.
o These conditions can include infection (such as from parasites,
viruses, or bacteria), poor nutrient absorption, or cancer.
 Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) of Nutritional
Status: Tool used to evaluate changes associated with
weight, dietary intake, functional capacity, GI symptoms,
and disease.
o It categorizes nutritional status as well nourished, moderately
nourished or severely malnourished based on findings.

14.  Parenteral nutrition concentration exceeding 10%
Dextrose and/or 5% protein must be administered
through a central line
 Prior to initiation of PN solutions requiring access into a
central vein, documentation confirming distal tip of
catheter location in the superior vena cava must be
obtained.
 Acceptable access includes ports, tunneled catheters,
PICC’s
o Although usable for TPN, Femoral veins and non-tunneled
catheters are generally inappropriate for home infusion.

15.  It is generally recommended that access device be used
solely for TPN whenever possible to decrease potential
contamination. When multiple lumens are present,
designate 1 lumen for PN use only.
 PPN (peripheral parenteral nutrition with dextrose
concentration <10% and protein concentration <5%) is
sometimes used for patients requiring short term
nutrition support (7-10 days). It is rarely done in the
home and only on a case by case basis.