Nutrition

Question 1

What are the effects of malnutrition on systems?

Answer 1

• Depression + anxiety
• Reduces immunity
• Reduces CO
• Renal function impaired > polyuria
• Hypothermia
• Weakness
• Anorexia
• Impaired gut integrity
• Reduces pancreatic enzymes
• Impaired healing
• Liver fatty change
• Ventilation > loss of muscle + hypoxic responses

Question 2

How does malnutrition effect liver function?

Answer 2

Initially Liver loses glycogen + gains fat

As starvation proceeds liver fat utilised for energy

Question 3

How does malnutrition effect intestinal function?

Answer 3

• Altered mucosal architecture
• Loss of villi height + motility
• Atrophy + thinning of mucosa
• Reduces SA for absorption
• Reduces brush border enzyme activity, steatorrhea + diarrhoea = nutrient loss
• Reduced gastric production = bacterial overgrowth

Question 4

What are the routes of enteral feeding?

Answer 4

• Nasogastric
• Gastrostomy
• Jejunostomy
• Nasoduodenal
• Nasojejunal
• IV alimentation (PPN, TPN)