Question

Use evidence from one scholarly source other than your textbook to support your answer. Use APA format to cite your source. 2. What are the differences between enteral nutrition and total parenteral nutrition? How do the implications of each method concern the nurse?

Answer 1

Enteral nutrition generally refers to any method of feeding that uses the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to deliver part or all of a person's caloric requirements. Parenteral nutrition refers to the delivery of calories and nutrients into a vein.

Enteral Nutrition

If the gut is working normally to absorb food and nutrients, then Enteral Nutrition is the preferred way of delivering nutritional support. In some patients, enteral nutrition may have to be delivered into the gut through a tube, but in others it may be possible for them to take this by mouth.

Parenteral Nutrition

If the patients gut cannot be used to absorb nutrients, then nutrition must be delivered into the patient’s blood stream, bypassing the gut. Reasons for this type of feeding include

Blockage of the gut (obstruction) or the gut failing to work (ileus)

Perforations of the gut where feeding will result in worsening infections

Where a large part of the gut has been removed and the patient cannot absorb enough food (short bowel syndrome)

Where parts of the bowel are diseased and not able to absorb properly (functional short bowel)

Complications of enteral feeding. Patients with feeding tubes are at risk for such complications as aspiration, tube malpositioning or dislodgment, refeeding syndrome, medication-related complications, fluid imbalance, insertion-site infection, and agitation.

Catheter infection is a common and serious complication of parenteral nutrition. Other potential short-term complications of parenteral nutrition include blood clots, fluid and mineral imbalances, and problems with blood sugar metabolism