Chapter 8 Nutrition And Hydration Flashcards
The six nutrients for growth and development
Water
Carbs
Protein
fats
vitamins
minerals
vegetables and fruits
Food choices
Clients have the right to refuse, but it is best to ask questions when they do.
Example: if a client refuses a meal ask if there’s something wrong with the food or if you can bring something else.
Therapeutic / modified / special diets
Low sodium (Low Na, NAS) often prescribed for clients who have high blood pressure, heart disease or kidney disease
Fluid restricted diet (RF): for those whose fluid intake is greater than the output. People with severe heart disease or kidney disease may have trouble processing fluid. Edema is swelling at the extremities (ankles, feet, fingers and hands) caused by excess fluid in body tissues. NA’s will document exact amounts. Foods that count as fluids such as ice cream, pudding gelatin, etc should not be offered.
Low protein diet: (often prescribed to clients who have kidney disease in order to prevent further kidney damage. Vegetables and starches are encouraged.
Low fat diet (cardiac diet): for people who are at risk of heart disease or who have had heart attacks. People with gallbladder disease may be placed on a diet that restricts all fats. Cardiac diet is low in sodium, fat, cholesterol as well as an excess sugar.
Modified calorie diet: (low / high Cal) prescribed to either produce or prevent weight gain
Diabetic diet: calories in carbohydrates are carefully controlled. Diabetics must eat the right amount of the right type of food at the right time and must eat all that is served. NA’s should encourage them to do so. Sugar is avoided.
Vegetarian diet(s):
Lacto-OVO: allows for dairy and eggs
Lacto-vegetarian: allows for dairy products
Ovo-vegetarian: allows for eggs
Vegan
Pescatarian
Liquid diet: ordered when a client needs to keep the intestinal tract free of food. They are usually offered as clear of full.
Clear: includes clear juices, broth, gelatin and popsicles.
Full: includes everything in the clear diet with the addition of cream soups, milk and ice cream
Soft diet: prescribed for clients who have trouble chewing and swallowing. It includes foods soft in texture or chopped so it is easier to chew and swallow. High fiber foods fried foods and spicy foods may be limited. Also prescribed for those who are going from a liquid to regular diet.
mechanical soft diet: consists of chops or blended foods. Similar to the soft diet but does not limit spices, fat and fiber. Only the texture has changed. Prescribe for people recovering from surgery or who are having trouble chewing and swallowing.
Pureed diet: foods are blended into a thick paste and can be consumed without chewing.
Thickened liquids
Prescribed for those clients with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
Nectar thick: the consistency is thicker than water. It’s the thickness of a thick juice such as a pear nectar or tomato juice. A client can drink this from a cup
Honey thick: pours very slowly. A resident we usually use a spoon to consume.
Pudding thick: semi-solid consistency. A spoon should stand straight up in the glass. A client must consume these liquids with a spoon
Swallowing problems put clients at a high risk for choking on food or drink. Inhaling food, fluid or foreign material into the lungs is called aspiration which can cause pneumonia or death
Parenteral nutrition (PN)
Solution of nutrients goes directly into the bloodstream bypassing the digestive system. Prescribed when the digestive system does not function properly.
Nasogastric tubes and percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy (PEG) tubes are used when residents cannot swallow, but can digest food
