Nursing assistance with activities of daily
If patient lacks strength,
living (ADLs) will conserve the patient’s
schedule rest periods before
energy for activities the patient values.
meals and open packages
Patients who take longer than one hour to
and cut up food for patient.
complete a meal may require assistance.
Attention to the social perspectives of
Provide companionship
eating is important in both hospital and
during mealtime.
home settings.
Consider the use of
seasoning for patients with Seasoning may improve the flavor of the
changes in their sense of foods and attract eating.
taste; if not contraindicated.
Consider six small nutrient-
Eating small, frequent meals lessens the
dense meals instead of three
feeling of fullness and decreases the
larger meals daily to lessen
stimulus to vomit.
the feeling of fullness.
For patients with physical
Special devices may be provided by an
impairments, refer to an
expert that can help patients feed
occupational therapist for
themselves.
adaptive devices.
For patients with impaired Adjustments of the thickness and
swallowing, coordinate consistency of foods to improve nutritional
with a speech therapist for intake may be provided by a speech
evaluation and instruction. therapist.
Determine time of day
when the patient’s appetite Patients with liver disease often have their
is at peak. Offer highest largest appetite at breakfast time.
calorie meal at that time.
Encourage family members Patients with specific ethnic or religious
to bring food from home to preferences or restrictions may not consider
the hospital. foods from the hospital.
Offer high protein
Such supplements can be used to increase
supplements based on
calories and protein without conflict with
individual needs and
voluntary food intake.
capabilities.
Offer liquid energy Energy supplementation has been shown to
supplements. produce weight gain and reduce falls in
frail elderly living in the community.
Discourage caffeinated or These beverages will decrease hunger and
carbonated beverages. lead to early satiety.
Keep a high index of
Impaired immunity is a critical adjunct
suspicion of malnutrition as
factor in malnutrition-associated infections
a causative factor in
in all age groups.
infections.
Metabolism and utilization of nutrients are
Encourage exercise.
improved by activity.
Nutritional support may be recommended
Consider the possible need for patients who are unable to maintain
for enteral or parenteral nutritional intake by the oral route. If
nutritional support with the gastrointestinal tract is functioning well,
patient, family, and enteral tube feedings are indicated. For
caregiver, as appropriate. those who cannot tolerate enteral feedings,
parenteral nutrition is recommended.
Validate the patient’s
feelings regarding the Validation lets the patient know that the
impact of current lifestyle, nurse has heard and understands what was
finances, and transportation said, and it promotes the nurse-patient
on ability to obtain relationship.
nutritious food.
Once discharged, help the
patient and family identify
area to change that will Change is difficult. Multiple changes may
make the greatest be overwhelming.
contribution to improved
nutrition.
Adapt modification to their Accepting the patient’s or family’s
current practices. preferences shows respect for their culture.
See Also
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