Nutrition II
Fundamentals of Nursing
Common diet types
NPO: nothing per oral / nothing by mouth.
• No food or water not even ice chips
• Before surgery “12am midnight”
Clear liquid diet: any liquid that can be seen through
(clear juice, jello, broth, water)
Full liquid diet: essentially a clear liquid diet but add
liquid dairy & all other juices
Pureed: clear and full liquid PLUS pureed meats,
eggs, fruits (anything that can go in a blender)
Mechanical soft: clear and full liquid PLUS chopped,
diced or ground food
Soft Diet: easy to digest foods that are low in fiber
High fiber: beans, veggies, lots of whole grains
Low sodium: no added salt, less than 2g of sodium
Low cholesterol: less than 300mg cholesterol
Diabetic: balance of protein and carbs no added
sugar (soda, pasta, white breads)
Factors Affecting Nutrition
Age
Gero considerations or elderly considerations
Decreased metabolism
Decreased thirst mechanism
Increased need for fiber
Financial constraints (fixed income)
Fluids
Some clients may be on a fluid restriction with
certain diseases, for example heart failure, where
fluid fails to pump forward & now backs up into
the lungs & or body. Make sure you educate the
client if they are on a fluid restriction.
Some clients may need to take in more than the
recommended water. Encourage them to drink,
bring them their favorite drinks
(if allowed with diet), make sure their pitcher is
full and fresh.
Religion
Certain religions restrict some food types like pork
or seafood or require patients to fast during certain
times
Financial stability
Some proteins tend to be more expensive making
it harder to have a balanced diet
Appetite
Not everyone has a desire to eat when sick
Bad experiences with food
Eating disorders or past experiences with
“hospital food”
Environment
Think about smells and sites in the hospital,
not always conducive to eating
Diseases
A newly diagnosed diabetic might not like the options
offered, someone with heart disease who was put
on a low sodium diet may find the food to be bland
Medications
Some medications decrease appetite
I&O
Intake & Output
Monitored carefully while in
the hospital
All liquid intake is measured in
mLs (1oz=30ml)
Weighed daily
• At the same time every day
and wearing the same thing.
• Usually first thing in the
morning after the first void
1oz=30ml