Nutrition Flashcards
(14 cards)
What organs are involved in enteral administration?
Oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestines.
How can nutrition be supplemented when patients can still eat?
Using sip or tube feeds alongside ordinary meals.
When is full enteral feeding necessary?
In patients unable to eat normally (e.g. facial injury, oesophageal obstruction, coma).
What organs are involved in enteral administration?
Oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestines.
What are most enteral feed proteins derived from?
Cow’s milk or soya.
What should be monitored even with complete enteral feeds?
Water and electrolyte balance, haematological and biochemical parameters.
What is parenteral nutrition?
Delivering nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive tract.
What is total parenteral nutrition (TPN)?
When intravenous feeding is the sole source of nutrition.
What does a parenteral nutrition solution contain?
Amino acids, glucose, fat, electrolytes, trace elements, and vitamins.
Through what type of line is parenteral nutrition ideally infused?
A central venous catheter.
What must only be given through the dedicated IV line?
Nutritional fluids.
What are complications of long-term parenteral nutrition?
Gall bladder sludging, gall stones, cholestasis, abnormal LFTs.
Why are TPN bags sometimes protected from light?
To prevent degradation of light-sensitive components, especially vitamins (e.g. vitamin A and riboflavin/B2).
Why are TPN high risk?
TPN is administered through a central venous catheter (CVC), which increases the risk of bloodstream infections, including sepsis.
TPN is administered at room temp and contains all the nutrients for microbes to thrive. TPN is prepared aseptically for this reason.
