Digestion and Nutrition Flashcards
age-related changes in digestion
- less efficient/effective chewing
- reduced senses of taste and smell
- reduced saliva production usually r/t med use
> > anticholinergics - slower swallowing
- slower gastric and intestinal motility
- degenerative changes affecting digestion
> > decreased responsiveness of pancreatic beta cells to glucose - daily intake: need fewer but higher-quality calories
> > nutritional density
diminished senses of smell and taste
- affect food enjoyment
- affected by meds and medical conditions
oral cavity
- decreased saliva production
- diminished muscle strength
> > presbyphasia - dysphagia is pathological (CVAs)
overall slower propulsion of food
- esophageal stiffening
- reduced gastric emptying
intestinal tract has reduced blood flow and slower peristalsis
- less effective conversation of food to nutrients, less absorption
- reduced secretions of mucus in LI
- reduced perception of rectal wall distension
- decreased elasticity of rectal wall
liver, pancreas, gallbladder
- reduced blood flow to liver
- decreased responsiveness of pancreatic beta cells to glucose
- increased susceptibility to gallstones
age-related changes in nutritional requirements
- calories: need less quantity, better quality
- muscle mass decline
- unhealthy abdominal fat distribution increases risk for heart disease and diabetes
- proportion of body fat to lean tissue increases
- decreased thirst perception
risk factors affecting digestion and nutrition
– conditions related to oral care
- percentage of OA who are edentulous is gradually diminishing
- poor oral care
risk factors affecting digestion and nutrition
– functional impairments and disease processes
dysphasia
risk factors affecting digestion and nutrition
– lifestyle factors
alcohol and smoking
risk factors affecting digestion and nutrition
– psychosocial factors
- loneliness
- anxiety
- stress
- memory issues
- depression
risk factors affecting digestion and nutrition
– environmental factors
- noisy/unpleasant setting
- transportation
- packaging trends in stores
risk factors affecting digestion and nutrition
– behaviors based on myths and misunderstandings
- lack of roughage
- advertisements
- overuse of laxatives
functional consequences affecting digestion and nutrition
- ability to produce, prepare and enjoy food
- changes in oral function
- poor nutritional status and weight changes
- QOL
- mobility
- adverse med effects (analgesics)
pathologic conditions
– constipation
decrease in normal freq. of defecation accompanied by difficult or incomplete passage of stool and/or passage of excessively hard, dry stool
pathologic conditions
– dysphasia
- difficulty swallowing consequence of a CVA/stroke
- aspiration is a complication of dysphagia
- primary indication that aspiration is occurring with swallowing is coughing with oral intake (liquids)
- aspiration pneumonia
pathological condition
- clostridium difficile
- c diff is a bacterium that cause diarrhea
- diagnosed > stool sampling
RISK FACTORS - recent antibiotics use and prior history of infection
- frequent cause of hospitalization in the elderly
- fatality increases w/ age
nursing assessment
- interviewing about digestion and nutrition
- using physical assessment and lab. information
- observing cues to digestion and nutrition
- using assessment tools
> > The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool
nursing diagnosis
identify problem related to nutrition, digestion and oral health
DIAGNOSIS
- imbalanced nutrition > less than body requirement
- constipation
- impaired oral mucus membrane
- risk for aspiration
- readiness for enhanced nutrition
planning for wellness outcomes
IMPROVED NUTRITION
- appetite
- bowel elimination
- knowledge: diet, nutritional status, oral health
- self-care: oral hygiene
- sensory function: taste and smell
- swallowing status
- weight: body mass
- constipation: hydration, B.E., med. response and symptom control
nursing intervention
HEALTH EDUCATION
- optimal nutrition
- disease prevention
- eliminate risk factors that interfere w/ digestion, nutrition and oral health
evaluation
- daily nutrient intake that corresponds to metabolic needs
- achieving/maintaining body weight
- achieving/maintaining regular B.E.
