Nutrition in the elderly

Question 1

What is the order of nutrition aid in the elderly

Answer 1

Food first approach
Oral nutritional supplements
enteral / parental nutrition

Question 2

What is enteral nutrition

Answer 2

Direct feeding into the stomach/duodenum/jejunum

Question 3

What are the advantages of enteral nutrition

Answer 3

Cheaper than parental

preserves gut mucosa and integrity

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of enteral nutrition

Answer 4

tolerance - nausea, satiety, bowel issues
Tube: uncomfortable to place
QoL and personal appearance

Question 5

What types of enteral nutrition are there

Answer 5

NG tube
NJ tube
PEG
Surgical JEJ

Question 6

What is parental nutrition

Answer 6

IV feeding when gut is inaccessable/unable to absorb sufficient nutrients

Question 7

What are the benefits of parental nutrition

Answer 7

easily tolerated

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of parental nutrition

Answer 8

Expensive
increased risk of infection
invasive procedure