Nutrition

Question 1

why is malnutrition bad?

Answer 1

• reduction in lean muscle mass
• alterations in respiratory mechanics
• impaired immune function
• intestinal atrophy

lead to:

• diminished wound healing
• predisp. to infection
• increased postop morbidity

Question 2

Some lab tests you could order to assess nutrition?

Answer 2

• serum albumin (<3.5 is bad)
• transferrin (good to assess nutrition repletion…<250 is bad)

Question 3

When would you put someone on parental nutrition?

Answer 3

When GI tract is totally out of service.

PPN=peripheral parenteral nutrition

TPN=parenteral nutrition thru central line

Question 4

Pro’s of enteral nutrition?

Answer 4

• safer and less expensive than parenteral
• preserves gut function
• results in fewer “all-source” infections

Question 5

Define regular diet:

Answer 5

• unrestricted spectrum of foods
• avg total caloric content of 1800-2100 kcal

Question 6

Define clear liquid diet:

Answer 6

• adequate water with 500-1,000 kcal as simple sugar and some electrolytes
• no fiber, minimal digestive or intestinal motility
• used for pts with post op ileus, acute gastroenteritis, obstruction and prep for gastric procedures

Question 7

Define full liquid diet:

Answer 7

• adequate water and calories/protein
• dairy products, soups, eggs and soft cereals + clear liquids
• used following clear liquid diet to advance diet

Question 8

Define soft diet:

Answer 8

• “tender foods are used” - thanks Current, thats really clear
• used inbetween full liquid and regular diet

Question 9

Define sodium restricted diet:

Answer 9

• duh?
• useful in management of HTN and edema (heart failure, chronic liver dz, CKD)