title: Nutritional support strategies: a case study approach.
abstract: Malnutrition in critically ill patients is caused by inadequate intake, absorption, and/or utilization of nutrients with a frequently compounding increased metabolic need. The nurse plays a pivotal role in the identification of patients at risk for nutritional deficits and collaborates with appropriate resources to obtain a comprehensive nutritional assessment and the required nutritional care. A five-step approach to nutritional support is presented and applied to three clinical situations. Through the use of a systematic decision-making process, the critical care practitioner ensures that patients receive adequate nutritional support for optimal organ function.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Posa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003663:Decision Trees; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D018529:Nutritional Support / Q000379:methods*