Complications
Enteral Nutrition
● incidence of food in the lungs
● problems with bowel movement
such as constipation or diarrhea
● the improper absorption of
nutrients
● nausea and vomiting
to provide nutrients in liquid
supplement form to patients that are
not getting the required caloric intake
on a daily basis
Patients are fed a supplement through
a tube to the gastrointestinal tract
Types of nutrtion
This form of feeding is for patients that
have suffered from a stroke, and are
having trouble swallowing
● Elemental: low in fat, amino
acid content is not well
absorbed
● Supplemental: contains
medium-chain triglycerides
and partially hydrolyzed
proteins and carbohydrates
● Polymeric: Standard formula
for patients with a functional
GI tract, contains intact
proteins, carbohydrates, and
medium-chain
triglycerides;intended for tube
feeding, not direct oral intake
If the tube is placed through the nose
or the throat it can create
● irritation of these areas
● acute sinus infections
● ulcers in the larynx or esophagus
If the tube is placed surgically
through the skin
● they can clog up or even become
displaced possibly leading to
wound infections