Malnutrition (Failure to Thrive, Malabsorption Disorders) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
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Outline
Malnutrition (Failure to Thrive, Malabsorption Disorders)
Definition/Etiology:
Definition
Failure to thrive (weight loss & frailty) is a another word for malnutrition.
Term usually used for pediatric patients but highly prevalent for elderly.
Nutritional support in critical care patient is frequently missed.
Etiology
Older Age
Pain
Nausea & Vomiting
Swallowing problems
Stroke
Strictures of throat
Trauma/burns
Sepsis
GI Cancer
Psychologic disorders
alcohol and medication abuse
Pathophysiology:
Pathophysiology
It results from the body’s physiologic adaptive response to starvation in response to severe deprivation of energy and all nutrients, and is characterized by wasting of body tissues, particularly muscles and subcutaneous fat.
This leads to coma then death.
Noticing: Assessment & Recognizing Cues:
Subjective Cues
Loss of appetite
Depression
Weak
“Trouble swallowing”
Objective Cues
Poor intake (less than 50% meals)
weight loss
Skin
Steatorrhea – fat in stool
Interpreting: Analyzing & Planning:
Labs
Pre-Albumin
Albumin
Electrolytes
Vitamin levels
Diagnostics
Braden Score
Swallow Screen
Underlying cause
Responding: Patient Interventions & Taking Action:
First Goal is always nutritional support within 24 to 48 hours.
Pharmacological Interventions
Treat underlying cause
Replace fluids/electrolytes
Enteral Feedings (in the mouth)
NG tube – short term
Peg Tube – more than 4 weeks
Preferred over parenteral
Minimal needs
Calories 25 kcal/kg/day
Protein 1 gram/kg/day
Non-Pharmacological Interventions
Nutritional screenings with 24 hours of admission
Strict skin care
Invasive studies are related to primary diagnosis
Reflecting: Evaluating Patient Outcomes:
Manage the delivery device
Assess for complications: Sinusitis, dysphasia, migration, , tube occlusion, pulmonary aspiration, esopharyngeal discomfort, erosion of the nasal septum
Monitor for Refeeding Syndrome vs Underfeeding
Refeeding Syndrome -potentially fatal shifts in fluids and electrolytes that may occur in malnourished patients receiving artificial refeeding
Hallmark = hypophosphatemia
Seizures, irregular heartbeat
Underfeeding
Minimize NPO for diagnostics
End result is ileus
Linchpins (Key Points):
Notice
Critically Ill & Risk Factors
Interpret
Respond
Reflect
Refeeding Syndrome & Ileus
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Transcript
References
AACN, & Hartjes, T. (2023). AACN Core Curriculum for Progressive and Critical Care Nursing (8th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences (US).
Dennison, R. D., & Farrell, K. (2015]). Pass PCCN!. Elsevier Health Sciences (US).
Kupchik, N. (2017). Ace The Pccn®!: You can do it!: Practice question review book. Nicole Kupchik Consulting, Inc.
Stone, L. M. (2018). Certification and Core Review for High Acuity, Progressive, and Critical Care Nursing (7th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences (US).
Trivium Test Prep. (2019). Pccn review book 2019-2020: Pccn Study Guide and Practice Test Questions for the Progressive Care Certified Nurse Exam.
Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Course Lessons