Open AccessFunctions and responsibilities performed by the registered nurse over the patient fed enterally in the intensive care unit
Author(s) -
Elżbieta Szlenk-Czyczerska
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
medical science pulse
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2544-1620
pISSN - 2544-1558
DOI - 10.5604/01.3001.0003.3175
Subject(s) - parenteral nutrition , medicine , intensive care unit , nursing , enteral administration , intensive care , nursing care , hygiene , medical record , intensive care medicine , surgery , pathology
Background: Nutrition of patients in intensive care units is a part of the treatment process. Enteral nutrition involves administration of nutrients into the gastrointestinal tract through the fstula or tube inserted into the stomach, duodenum or small intestine. All-day running of enteral nutrition, the replacement of receptacles, fushing tubes, the surveillance and early detection and prevention of complications belong to the responsibilities of nurses. Patients fed enterally require continuous, intensive care implemented by the nursing staf.Aim of the study: Presentation of the functions and tasks performed by nurses in the care of the patient fed enterally and complications related to their nutrition.Material and methods: The study was conducted using observation of activities and functions of the team of nurses who took care of 25 patients nourished enterally in the intensive care unit in Opole as well as the analysis of the medical records concerning the treatment of these patients.Results: Most patients under investigation were at the age of 60-70 (40%). Metabolic (51,6%) and food (37,3%) complications accounted for the most frequent duties of the nurses. During the follow-up activities nurses performed patients' own hygiene activities, nursing, and medical care, diagnostics and monitoring. The largest group of activities consisted of patients' own hygiene activities (67,9%), whereas the least frequent were nursing operations (3,1%).Conclusions: Studies show that nurses perform a number of functions and tasks in the care of patietnts fed enterally. In order to improve efciency and safety and reduce the number of complications, nursing teams of nutritional therapy ought to be appointed for the beneft of the hospital with intensive care units. Knowledge of the nursing team must constantly be extended through training in enteral nutrition.Keywords: enteral feeding, intensive therapy, activities