Question

Patients with different diagnoses will have different nutritional requirements. Contrast the nutritional requirements of a patient with a diagnosis of severe COPD with the requirements of a patient with third degree burns over 40% of his body surface.

Answer 1

Weight loss in Chronic Obstructive pulmonary disease is a consequence of increased energy requirements unbalanced by dietary intake . Nutritional supplement therapy has been shown to be effective for maintaining and improving the muscle strength and exercise tolerance in poorly nourished COPD patients thereby decreasing morbidity and mortality .

The purpose of nutrition care for this population is to provide adequate energy to minimize the risk of unwanted weight loss avoid loss of fat free mass , prevent malnutrition and improve pulmonary status.

Third degree burns often take greater than 3 weeks to heal or need skin grafting . These burns are treated at home only if they are quite small. Follow the burn care treatment that is checked below . Remember never use ice on a burn.

Do not break closed blisters because this increases the to risk for infection . Apply cream or ointment to the burn with a cotton swab. Place a nonstick bandage over your burn wrap a layer of gauze around the bandage to hold it in place .

To promote optimal wound healing and rapid recovery from burn injuries . To minimize risk of complications including infections during the treatment period .

To attain and maintain normal nutritional status . To minimise metabolic disturbances during the treatment process .