Nutrition for Special Groups

Nutrition for Special Groups 3(3+0)

Lesson 41 : Surgery

Methods of Feeding

1. Enteral: nourishment through regular gastrointestinal route, either by regular oral feedings or by the tube feedings.
2. Parenteral: nourishment through small peripheral veirs or large central vein

Oral feeding

1. Allows more needed nutrients to be added
2. Stimulates normal action of the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Can usually resume once regular bowel sounds return.
4. Progresses from clear to full liquids, then to a soft or regular diet.

Tube Feeding

1. Used when oral feeding cannot be tolerated
2. Nasogastric tube is most common route.
3. Nasoduodenal or nasodejunal tube more appropriate for patients at risk for aspiration, reflux, or continuous vomiting.

Alternate Routes for Enteral Tube Feeding

1. Esophagostomy
2. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)
3. Percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ)

Tube – Feeding Formula

• Generally prescribed by the physician
• Important to regulate amount and rate of administration
• Diarrhea is most common complications
• Wide variety of commercial formulas available