Implementing nutritional therapy in the thermally injured patient

Providing adequate nutritional support is an important adjuvant therapy in the management of thermal injuries. Technological advances in both enteral and parenteral nutrition have enabled clinicians to administer large amounts of essential nutrients to critically ill patients who frequently cannot or will not take these nutrients orally. The use of any method of nutritional support requires careful administration and scheduled monitoring to ensure its safety and efficacy. Critical care nurses have an integral role in assuring that appropriate nursing care and monitoring measures are performed.