Specialized Nutritional Support and Enteral Nutrition

Evaluating the patient's ability to receive nutrition through a tube.

Checking serum sodium and other electrolytes for potential problems.

Assessing the patient's ability to heal wounds, potentially related to an incision and possible stomach rupture.

A short-term nutritional plan delivered through a tube (e.g., nasogastric).

Evaluating the patient's overall condition for appropriate nutritional support and wound healing.

Feeding administered through a tube directly into the stomach or small intestine.

Enteral feeding given overnight to avoid daytime pumps.

Rapid delivery of feedings via syringe, typically 4-6 times daily.

Feedings given with intervals; not continuous.

Surgical creation of an opening into the stomach.

Indicates a potential problem with medication (overdose or wrong dosage) or need for dosage adjustment.

A factor to consider when assessing nutritional needs.

Past dietary habits are important for understanding nutritional needs and baseline.

The severity of the condition affects nutritional needs.

Existing health conditions like diabetes influence nutritional requirements.

The ability of the gastrointestinal system to digest and absorb nutrients.

Specialized nutritional support to improve nutritional intake when oral intake is not possible.

A blockage in the intestines, preventing normal digestion and absorption.

A condition where the intestines are not moving food properly.

Inability to consume food due to insufficient digestive movement.

Inflammation of the peritoneum, hindering organ movement and function.

Insufficient blood flow to the intestines, causing oxygen deprivation.

Persistent or uncontrollable vomiting making it hard to consume enough nutrition.

Frequent bowel movements that can lead to nutrient loss.

Significant muscle loss due to inadequate nutrition.

A method of providing nutrition directly into the bloodstream.

PN provides a lot of calories in a small amount of fluid.

The breakdown of complex substances in the body.

100% of nutrients are absorbed directly into the bloodstream.

PN can possibly lead to digestive problems due to no food entering stomach.

Potential for reduced growth in patients receiving PN.

PN can help manage nutrition needs when digestive system can not function.

Specialized nutritional support provided through a feeding tube directly into the stomach or small intestine.

Nutritional support provided intravenously when the GI tract can't be used for nutrition.

A nutritional supplement focusing on providing only one macronutrient (e.g., protein) and isn't a complete nutritional formula.

Organic building blocks of proteins; body's primary source of nitrogen.

Important carbohydrate; provides energy in nutrition.

Oxygen saturation levels above 95% or 98% for some.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; a medical process for supporting lung or heart function.

Formulas supplying carbohydrates, proteins, fats, electrolytes, water, vitamins, and trace elements for nutritional support.

Enteral feedings are administered in 20-60 minutes.

Start enteral feedings at 150-250 mL per feeding and gradually increase to the target volume.

200-500 mL per feeding, 4-6 times a day.

Conditions involving anorexia, orofacial fractures, head and neck cancers, neurological or psychiatric conditions preventing oral intake, extensive burns, or critical illness.

A nutritional supplement that is nutritionally complete and isotonic (same concentration of solutes as blood), providing calories and building blocks needed by the body, given in the absence of dietary or supplemental restrictions, and may be milk-based.

Enteral feeding can be administered through nasogastric, gastrostomy, nasojejunal, gastrojejunal, or jejunostomy tubes.

Enteral feeding can either be assisted by pumps (pump-assisted), gravity (gravity-assisted), or a single bolus in a single dose (bolus). Additionally, feeding can be given orally.

Potential issues include improper tube placement, clogged tubes, aspiration, diarrhea, constipation, dehydration, hypernatremia, and sinusitis.

Blood glucose levels, head of bed elevation (to promote natural emptying and proper GI use), and GI tolerance are important metrics to monitor the patient's response to enteral nutrition.