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Nutrition support in the critically ill patient
K O Case1, P G Cuddy, E P Dooling McGurk
1Truman Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
Critical Care Nursing Quarterly
|February 21, 2002
Summary
Nutrition support for critically ill patients is standard practice, prioritizing enteral feeding unless contraindicated. Close monitoring and tailored therapies are essential for achieving nutritional goals and managing complications.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Clinical Nutrition
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Management
Background:
- Nutrition support is a routine intervention in intensive care units (ICUs) despite limited evidence of mortality benefit.
- Enteral nutrition is the preferred route for feeding critically ill patients unless contraindicated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline current practices and recommendations for nutrition support in critically ill patients.
- To emphasize the importance of individualized nutrition therapy and vigilant monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Review of current guidelines and clinical practices for nutrition support in the ICU.
- Discussion of enteral feeding methods, access sites, and initiation timing.
- Emphasis on routine assessment of energy and protein needs, avoiding overfeeding.
Main Results:
- Enteral nutrition via gastric or postpyloric access is recommended.
- Timing of nutrition support initiation depends on patient status and anticipated oral intake.
- Close surveillance for complications and tailored adjunctive therapies (e.g., insulin, prokinetics) are crucial.
Conclusions:
- Individualized nutrition support is vital for critically ill patients.
- Enteral feeding should be prioritized, with a transition to oral or enteral routes when feasible.
- Monitoring and adjustment of therapy are key to achieving nutritional goals and preventing complications.
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