Enteral Nutrition Essay

863 Words2 Pages

Introduction: In some instances, there is a need for alternative routes to administer nutrients and medication to the body. When a patient is not able to consume nutrients orally, other means are considered. Those may include enteral or parenteral nutrition.
Enteral Nutrition: Nutrition is normally delivered through the enteral method, also known as tube feeding, when a patient is able to digest nutrients in their gastrointestinal tract but may have an issue swallowing, chewing, or ingesting food. The tube is placed in the stomach or intestines for delivery of nutrients. Complications, such as pulmonary aspiration or clogged tubing, may occur. Pulmonary aspiration can be prevented by making sure the head of the bed is positioned at an angle of at least 30° and an assessment of the gastric fluids should be done intermittently by the nursing staff. When the tubing clogs, there is a high probability that the patient does not …show more content…

It is normally used until nutrition can be consumed orally or through tube feeding. Parental nutrition is administered intravenously through an infusion pump. The site of delivery is the subclavian vein. When parental routes are used long-term, nutritional goals are met while simultaneously avoiding toxicity and reducing any problems. A couple of complications that may develop during this process are air embolism and localized infection. Air embolism can be prevented by verifying that that all of the catheter connections are secure and the catheter is clamped when it isn’t in use. Improper dressing care and preparations of sites for parenteral nutrition can cause localized infection. To prevent this complication, the nurse should always use aseptic techniques when caring for the catheter site, change dressing routinely, and clean areas with the proper solutions, such as iodine or alcohol (Perry & Potter,

More about Enteral Nutrition Essay

Open Document