The Ethical Challenges Of Oral Nutrition

It is important that patients who cannot eat for themselves get the help and encouragement they need to eat and drink as nutrition is vital for good health and wellbeing. Food provides our bodies with energy, vitamins and minerals, proteins and essential fats in order to live grow and function properly (Nhmrc.gov.au, 2017). A vast variety of different foods are needed in order to provide the correct amounts of nutrients that are needed for good health (ageuk.org.uk, 2017).

According to the Department of Health (DH) (2012), the science of nutrition is the study of all processes of growth, maintenance and the repair of the living body that depend upon the digestion of food, and the study of that food.

The overall nutrient intake of oral nutrition

Where a person is unable to transfer food or drink into their mouths, it is necessary to do this for them. This requires considerable skill and the consent of the patient is required. It should be recognised that having to be fed by someone can be a threat to the individual’s integrity and self-esteem, so every effort should be made to minimise the negative aspects. The nurse should sit level with the person and encourage a relaxed social atmosphere (Alexander et al, 2012)

Ethical challenge is all about informed consent, as by law patients and families have the right to know what kind of treatment and care will be given to them. The patients’ preferences would need to be taken into consideration such as their beliefs and their religion as it would have an effect on their diet. Most of the major religions have dietary guidelines that are followed to varying extents, such as fasting, the premises of which foods are sold, prepared or eaten (Jewish kosher laws) or dietary exclusions such as alcohol or certain types of animal flesh. (Rucker and Rucker,

Carper stated that it’s a nurse’s ability to respond to the patient in the fullness of their situation and argued that this form of knowledge had a unique character and it could not be expressed in the empiric pattern (Nursing Knowledge, 2017)

Artistry is the creative skill and ability in nursing. If nurses were to suspect or detect malnutrition, they can protect patients against illness and disease by enhancing their quality of life by understanding how illness and medication affect appetite and nutritional needs, become food aware as meals are just as important medication, assess patients for signs and risks of malnourishment as well as providing an appropriate diet for the age of the patient – this would all be considered when feeding a patient because as a nurse you would need to know what their recommended intake is supposed to be.

Encouraging hydration also plays a huge part as water helps to transport nutrients to give you and energy and to keep you healthy. If you’re not hydrated, you may begin to feel tired, dizzy, and have muscle cramps or other serious symptoms. How the nurse treats and speaks to patients has an effect on the care they are receiving