Enternal and Parenteral Nutrition in the Critical Care Setting Essay

Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition in the Critical Care SettingManagement of patient feeding has long been a topic of controversy. Questing of timing, route of administration and composition of feeding solution constituents are several variables that share a lack of consensus.There is a 50% rate of malnutrition cited in hospitalized patients.Many states associated with critical care admissions have altered metabolic rates. Some examples of increased catabolism are multiple tarnish trauma, sepsis, organ failure (CHF, ARF, RF), and ventilator dependent status. It is important to assess for a history of such hyper- or altered metabolic states like Diabetes Melitus, Alcoholism, Renal Failure, and COPD.oer feeding is associated with immunosuppression, hyperglycemia, liver dysfunction and refeeding syndrome.EnteralNo associated immune suppression, no associated infection complications, easier to maintain electrolyte balance. ParenteralImmune suppression (the converse is too true- malnutr ition also causes immune suppression), fatty liver, potential for pneumothorax, line infections, loss of gut barrier, hyperosmolality, refeeding syndrome Feeding tubes great option, if the gut works, use it.Prealbumin (2-3 daytime t1/2)Transferrin (8-10 day t1/2)Albumin (14-20 day t1/2)Nitrogen balance studies can aid in the clinica...