CHAPTER 14 | Manage Supplemental Nourishments & Foods According to the Written Diet Order
milkshakes, puddings, cheese and crackers, and ice cream sundaes. Also consider methods to fortify those enjoyable foods so they deliver more calories and protein with every bite.
If foods and drinks alone aren’t enough to support improved health, further steps can be taken. Commercial oral nutritional supplements are an option, and choices can be made based on flavor preferences. If a client can’t eat or drink orally, enteral or parental nutrition can be considered by the RDN/NDTR, based on the client’s acuity, and the interdisciplinary team. This can be a short-term or long-term solution. The RDN/NDTR will consider reasons for the client’s inability to eat and declining nutritional status before addressing long-term nutrition support. The CDM, CFPP should have a firm understanding of the wishes of the client and must always keep those at the forefront when the team is providing oral nutritional supplements, MNT products, or nutrition support.
Nutrition Fundamentals and Medical Nutrition Therapy