Question

Case Study #11

Mrs. White is a 76-year-old female who recently had a stroke. She has a functioning GI tract. The physician has recommended a PEG tube be placed for long-term feeding. Mrs. White will soon be transferred to a long-term care facility.

1. Evaluate the appropriateness of this recommended feeding route. Is parenteral nutrition more appropriate for Mrs. White? Why or why not?

2. Outline the progression of Mary Ann’s nutrition plan post -surgery.

Answer 1

1.A patient who had stroke can have difficulty in swallowing foods. A PEG feed is the recommended choice of feeding techniques if needs a longer time for recovery from a disease condition. This enables the easy administration of the food to the patient with less risk of aspiration and other problems .A parental administration is given directly into the blood stream without reaching the gastrointestinal tract.This is recommended if the gastric functions are absent. Presence of gastric functions makes it clear that the patient can still digest the food and get it absorbed naturally. Hence this us the appropriate route to feed this patient .Upon patient progression ot can be removed.

2.The post surgical nutrition progression are

• The patient will be initiated with clear liquids
• If tolerating the clear liquids, the full liquids will be started
• The residual volume of the epigastric content determines how mish the feed is absorbed and the capability of the patient to tolerate and progress.
• Solid foods are strictly not allowed.
• If patient regains the swallowing difficulty, motor movements, slowly oral feeds can be initiated with presence of PEG feed.