Theraputic Nutrition & Elimination Word List

Question 1

___ is when the kidneys stop producing urine. The condition is usually the result of disease or damage to the kidneys. It may be defined as a urine output of less than 50 mL/day. Potential causes could be kidney failure due to diabetes or hypertension; inability for the body to pump blood to the kidneys due to traumatic shock or heart failure; or urinary tract obstructions from tumors or kidney stones.

Answer 1

Anuria or anuresis.

Greek word origin:
An = without
uria = urine

Question 2

___ is the medical term for a decreased output of urine. It may be defined as a urine output of less than 400 milliliters in a 24 hour period. It may progress to anuria. Potential causes are dehydration, certain medications, or a urinary tract obstruction.

Answer 2

Oliguria

Greek word origin:
olig = little
uria = urine

Question 3

___ simply put is the amount of energy our body uses up and it is a component of metabolism. It is the process of the body using energy to create chemical reactions to build large, complex molecules from smaller, simple molecules. This metabolic reaction is used to grow new cells, maintain tissue, mineralize bone, increase muscle mass, etc.

Answer 3

Anabolism

Greek word origin:
ana = up
bolism = to throw

Question 4

___ is a series of chemical reactions that break down complex molecules into smaller units in order to release energy. This metabolic process provides the energy our bodies need for physical activity, from cellular processes to body movements. Example: The break down of proteins into amino acids.

Answer 4

Catabolism

Greek word origin:
cata = down
bolism = to throw

Question 5

What does the acronym NPO (nil per os) stand for?

Answer 5

No food or drink by mouth. Fasting is usually done in preparation for an operation.

Latin word origin of “nil per os”:
Nothing by mouth

Question 6

___ means painful urination. Causes may be a urinary tract infection (UTI), sexually transmitted infection (STI), pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or kidney stones.

Answer 6

Dysuria

Greek word origin:
dys = difficult
uria = urine

Question 7

___ means the need to urinate throughout the night. Example: Waking up two or more times during the night to urinate. Common causes are pregnancy, medication, or excessive fluid consumption.

Answer 7

Nocturia

Greek word origin:
noct = night
uria = urine

Question 8

___ means urinary incontinence or the involuntary release of urine. Causes may be the body not producing enough antidiuretic hormone, bladder irritants like alcohol, or a neurological condition like multiple sclerosis that can result in abnormal nerve signaling between the brain and the bladder.

Answer 8

Enuresis

Greek word origin:
To urinate in

Question 9

___ is the urge to urinate frequently. This is often defined as urinating more than 7 times a day. Causes may be using a diuretic like caffeine or excessive urine volume due to diabetes mellitus.

Answer 9

Polyuria

Greek word origin:
poly = much
uria = urine

Question 10

___ ___ means administering nutrients directly into the stomach. It involves passing a tube into the GI tract to administer a formula containing adequate nutrients.

Answer 10

Enteral feeding

Greek world origin:
enternal = intestine

Question 11

This type of gastrostomy tube is placed into the stomach via surgery for long-term nutritional support. A small incision is made through the skin of the abdomen while the patient receives local anesthesia to place the tube.

Answer 11

A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube

Latin world origin:
percutanious = through the skin
endoscopic = to view within
gastrostomy = opening to the stomach
(a tube going through the skin into the stomach)

Question 12

Proving nutritional support via intravenous therapy is called ___. Intravenous supplementation may be prescribed for patients who have nonfunctional GI tracts, who are comatose, or those who have high caloric and nutritional needs due to illness or injury. It can be administered centrally through a central venous access device, or peripherally through a short-term intravenous access in a peripheral vein.

Answer 12

Parenteral Nutrition

Greek world origin:
par = beside
enternal = intestine
(Providing food another way besides using the intestine)

Question 13

A ___ tube is inserted through the nose and into the stomach for short-term nutritional therapy. An example is a Levin tube, which is a flexible rubber or plastic single-lumen tube with holes at the stomach end and a connector at the opposing end.

Answer 13

Nasogastric tube

Latin world origin:
naso = nose
gastric = stomach

Question 14

___ is a problem in which a person lacks bladder control due to a brain, spinal cord, or nerve condition. Symptoms could be an over-active bladder, under-active bladder, or the bladder does not fully empty.

Answer 14

Neurogenic bladder

Latin world origin:
neuro = nervous system
genic = originating from
(originating from the nervous system)

Question 15

___ is a mass of bodily waste discharged from the intestine via the process of defecation. Defecation means to empty the intestinal tract of waste.

Answer 15

Stool or feces

Latin world origin:
Feces = dregs / the worthless remains of something
Defecation = to cleanse self from the dregs

Question 16

___ is the act of vomiting or the involuntary, forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth.

Answer 16

Emesis

Greek world origin:
emesis = to vomit

Question 17

___ is the medical term for releasing gas from the digestive system through the anus. Reducing gas build up in the digestive system is a sign that the GI tract is functioning appropriately.

Answer 17

Flatulence

Latin world origin:
Flatus = a breaking wind

Question 18

Blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets that are suspended in plasma. The volume percentage of red blood cells in blood is called ___. Having too few red blood cells may be a sign of anemia and too many could be a sign of dehydration.

Answer 18

Hematocrit

Greek world origin:
hema = blood
crit = to judge
(to evaluate the blood)

Question 19

____ feedings are recommended with enteral feedings to the stomach to reduce the risk of aspiration and reflux. ____ feeds are recommended with enteral feedings to the small intestine to reduce the risk of dumping syndrome.

Answer 19

Intermittent feedings
Continuous feedings

Question 20

What are signs that a patient is tolerating tube feedings?

Answer 20

Normal GI functioning like….
Absence of nausea and vomiting
Absence of diarrhea and constipation
Absence of abdominal pain and distention
Presence of bowel sounds within normal limits

Question 21

Nasogastric intubation is done to take contents out of the stomach (example: gastric suctioning) or place contents into the stomach (enteral feeding). A clogged tube is a risk. What should be done if a tube is clogged?

Answer 21

Use a 60-mL syringe containing 30 mL of warm water to attempt to unclog the tube. Use of a feeding pump helps to prevent clogging. Flush tube with 30 mL of water before and after each feeding, at least every 4 hours during a continuous feeding, and after aspirating a tube for gastric contents. Flush tube with 30 mL of sterile water before and after medication administration. After flushing the tube, be sure to document the amount on the intake and output record.

Question 22

What should be done to reduce the risk of aspiration during nasogastric feedings?

Answer 22

Check tube placement before administering any fluids, medications, or feeding, using multiple techniques like x-ray, external length marking, & pH testing (5 or less). Elevate head of bed at least 30–45 degrees during feeding and for 1 hour afterward. Pause the feeding if the patient has to temporarily lay flat. Check amount of gastric residual (feeding remaining in the stomach) every 5 hours for a continuous feeding. High gastric residual volumes (200 to 250 mL or greater) can be associated with high risk for aspiration and aspiration-related pneumonia. Record residuals on flow sheet. progress notes.