NURS 50S - Research Article 4
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Western Governors University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
50S
Subject
Health Science
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
4
Uploaded by AgentClover1355
Running head: HELPING PATIENTS WITH DYSPHAGIA EAT
1
Research Article 4 on Helping Patients with Dysphagia Eat Student
College
HELPING PATIENTS WITH DYSPHAGIA EAT
2
Research Article 4 on Helping Patients with Dysphagia Eat My article was published in Lippincott’s Nursing Center 2003. This article can be found in Volume 33, Number 5 on page 68. The article aims to discuss and present ways in which nurses can provide patients with dysphagia nutrition therapy. The article discusses the difficulties
that occur in patients with dysphagia, what sort of steps to take to compliment nutrition therapy, and how to choose a dysphagia diet. It describes how to choose a diet, by providing the type of diet and description, and some food examples that work for a dysphagia patient.
The article begins by discussing why nutrition therapy is important. “Nutrition therapy is important for a patient who’s having trouble swallowing, which affects the types and amounts of food he can eat” (Lippincott). The degree of difficulty in swallowing for the dysphagia patient, guides the steps necessary for that patient. It also lets us know how much food they can tolerate and what types they are able to have. In addition to eating, a speech therapist should also evaluate the patient. The article discusses that the speech therapist should be the one to determine
the diet that the patient should be on; “Because this patient is at risk for aspiration, a speech therapist should recommend the types and consistency of foods that would be safest for him” (Lippincott).
The article also discusses other interventions that ensure adequate nutrition and that aren’t dietary recommendations. The first being “providing mouth care immediately before meals to help improve taste” (Lippincott). This is important because their diet will be limited and
to promote the overall well-being of the patient, they should be able to enjoy their food. Other interventions included; encouraging the patient to rest before meals so he’s not too tired, offering
him small and frequent meals, minimizing or eliminating distractions so he can focus on eating
HELPING PATIENTS WITH DYSPHAGIA EAT
3
and swallowing, placing him in high fowlers, using adaptive devices, encourage small bites and thorough chewing, offering praise and encouragement, provide cool or mildly warm meals to stimulate the swallowing reflex, adding flavor as necessary to increase salivation, and helping the patient select nutritious foods. All of these interventions will help promote the best nutritional
therapy that a nurse can provide. (Lippincott).
The diets that the article discusses are separated by consistency. They are; thick liquids, soft foods and thick liquids, semisolid foods with thick liquids and carbonated beverages, and solid foods and thick liquids. The thick liquids are “blended or pureed liquids without lumps, grains, or solids;” and include “smooth, creamy soups; applesauce; puddings; liquids thickened to a pudding-like texture” (Lippincott).This is for the dysphagia patient that can’t handle solids or soft foods and is more likely going to require enteral feeding soon if needed. The other examples include gelatin-like consistency or sticky foods for the soft foods and thick liquids diet;
all of the previously mentioned and foods that are firm but not tough for the semisolid foods with
thick liquids and carbonated beverages; and lastly, the previously stated and firm, chewy, crispy foods that aren’t hard for the solid foods and thick liquids diet. (Lippincott).
And while the overall meal of a dysphagia patient, won’t jump out as appealing right away, these diets are guidelines for healthcare workers to promote nutrition therapy and establish
a good idea of how best to treat the dysphagia patient and how best to feed them.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
HELPING PATIENTS WITH DYSPHAGIA EAT
4
References
“Incredibly Easy! Helping patients with dysphagia eat.” Lippincott’s Nursing Center
. Volume 33,
Number 5. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2003.