Nutrition (W4)

Question 1

what is a must chart?

Answer 1

Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool is a 5-step tool used to identify individuals who are malnourished, at risk of malnourishment and those who are obese (BMI). They are used upon hospital admission, in the community and other care settings.

They should then be used every 7 days after this initial usage, to monitor any changes, based on the person’s;

• height and weight, (BMI)
• whether they have experienced any unplanned weight-loss in the last 6 months
• if they are acutely unwell that has/is likely to affect their score

The results will either be Low, Medium or High risk.

Question 2

PYMS Tool

Answer 2

Paedeatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score is designed to detect energy/protein under-nutrition in CYP (children and young people) over 1years old.

Specific complications of malnutrition in CYP include delayed growth, impaired brain development and these can affect bone growth.

Exclusions include children under 1years old (infants) and those on palliative care.

Should be repeated weekly or after 3 days if someone scores 1.

Question 3

Nutrition with nausea and vomiting

Answer 3

If someone is nauseated then they should be sat upright or on their side to avoid aspiration and choking. They should also be encouraged to brush their teeth, as this will make them more likely to want to eat. Nutrient-dense, easily palatable foods should be encouraged. Feeding through a nasogastric tube should be considered if vomiting most food is ongoing.

Question 4

Nutrition problems

Answer 4

Pica; eating non-edible objects, e.g. stones, faeces

Polydipsia; desire to drink any fluids, even if not thirsty

Excessive eating; e.g. mental illness, medication, etc.

Purging; when one intentionally induces vomiting, e.g. using laxatives, excessive exercise

Question 5

what is a PEG

Answer 5

percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy in an endoscopic medical procedure where a tube is passed into the patient’s stomach through the abdominal wall to provide nutrition when oral intake is not adequate/viable. this may be chosen over an NG tube for those who require long-term support with their nutritional intake.

Question 6

pulmonary aspiration

Answer 6

when something is swallowed, e.g. food/liquid ‘goes down the wrong way’ and enters the trachea and/or lungs. the airways are not entirely block, which differentiates aspiration from choking, and those who have trouble swallowing more likely to experience it.

Question 7

How to calculate BMI

Answer 7

Height m() multiplied by weight squared (kg).