Malnutrition Flashcards
what is malnutrition?
a state resulting from lack of uptake or intake of nutrition
leading to altered body composition and body cell mass
leading to diminished physical and mental function and impaired clinical outcome from disease
where is the highest prevalence of malnutrition?
- Chronic, progressive conditions
- Elderly >65 or young
- 1 in 3 malnourished on admission
- 70% lost weight at discharge
what are the impacts of malnutrition?
- Increased:
- Mortality
- Septic and post-surgical complications
- Length hospital stay
- Pressure sores
- Readmission
- Dependency
- cost
- Decreased:
- Wound healing
- Response to treatment
- Rehabilitation potential
- Quality of life
who should nutrition support be considered in?
what is considered as malnourished?
- BMI <18.5
- Unintentional weight loss >10% past 3-6/12
- BMI< 20 with unintentional weight loss >5% in past 3-6/12
who is at risk of malnutrition?
- Have eaten little or nothing for > 5 days and / or are likely to eat little or nothing for the next 5 days or longer or
- Have a poor absorptive capacity, and / or have high nutrient losses and/or have increased nutritional needs from causes such as catabolism.
what is artificial nutrition support?
provision of enteral or parenteral nutrients to treat or prevent malnutrition
when is parenteral nutrition support used?
Oral nutrition not possible/safe and GI tract not functional/accessible
what is the first line of nutrition support if oral not posisble?
enteral nutrition-> superior to parenteral
what is the aim with parenteral nutrition?
return to enteral -> oral feeding as soon as posisble
what are the options for gastric feeding?
if enteral feeding possible:
-
Yes = Naso-gastric tube (NGT)
- Contraindicated in gastric outlet obstruction.
- No = Naso-duodenal (NDT) / naso-jejunal tube (NJT)
- Long term (> 3 months) = Gastrostomy/jejunstomy
what are the complications of gastric feeding?
misplaced NGTs
mechanical
metabolic
GI
how do you confirm an NGT is in correct location?
what are the mechanical complications of gastric feeding?
misplacement
blockage
buried bumper
what are the metabolic complications of gastric feeding?
hyperglycemia
deranged electrolytes
what are the GI complications of gastric feeding?
- Aspiration
- Nasopharyngeal pain
- Laryngeal ulceration
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
what is parenteral nutrition?
The delivery of nutrients, electrolytes and fluid directly into venous blood
what are the indications for parenteral support?
- An inadequate or unsafe oral and/or enteral nutritional intake
- OR
- A non-functioning, inaccessible or perforated gastrointestinal tract
how is access obtained for PS?
- Central venous catheter (CVC): tip at superior vena cava and right atrium.
- Usually through jugular, subclavian or femoral veins or peripherally inserted central catheters inserted from antecubital fossa into central vein (done at bedside)
- Different CVCs for short / long term use
what is the composition for parenteral support?
- Ready made / bespoke “scratch” bags.
- MDT → fluid and electrolyte targets for the day
what are the general categories for complications from PS?
mechanical (usually from entering supply)
metabolic (From feed)
catheter-related infection
what are the mechanical complications from PS?
what are the metabolic complications from PS?
- Deranged electrolytes
- Hyperglycemia
- Abnormal liver enzymes
- Oedema
- Hypertriglyceridemia
what are the effects of parenteral nutrition on mortality and readmisison?
decreases


