In: Nursing
You are providing care to a 88 year old male who is status post CVA. He is NPO secondary to dysphagia. List 3 different options for nutrition delivery and explain how each would be effective.
Nutritional screening and assessment
Assess the change in nutrition pattern due to dysphagia. Check the body weight periodically. Malnutrition reduces the body mass index.
Enteral nutrition
Enteral route is used to prevent malfunction. Patients with dysphagia are at risk of aspiration pneumonia. Enteral feeding can be continued until safety of oral feeding is established.
Formula feeds
Formula feeds contains intact proteins. It helps to maintain digestive and absorptive function of gastrointestinal system.
Selection of formula feeding should be based on fluid, electrolyte and metabolic needs, digestion, absorption capacity, ability to digestion and characteristics of formula feeds.
Feed delivery
Intermittent bolus feeding is appropriate to administer by nasogastric or percutaneous gastric tube. It is useful in ambulatory patients.
Parenteral nutrition
Total parenteral nutrition is needed in patients with short bowel or gastrointestinal intolerance. In general, parenteral nutrition should be considered if energy intake has been inadequate for more than 7 days and enteral feeding is not feasible.