Nutrition and hydration in older adults in critical care.
Nutrition and hydration are vital components of critical care nursing. However, meeting the nutrition and hydration needs of the critically ill older adult is often complex, because of preexisting risk factors (malnutrition, unintentional weight loss, frailty, and dehydration); as well as intensive care unit-related challenges (catabolism, eating and feeding, end-of-life care). This article highlights the challenges of managing nutrition and hydration in the critically ill older adult, reviews assessment principles, and offers strategies for optimizing nutrition and hydration.
Doctoral Nursing Department, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, 245 North 15th Street, Mail Stop 1030, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA. Electronic address: rad83@drexel.edu.
Rose Ann
RA
Dimaria-Ghalili
Clinical Nutrition Support Services, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 1912 Penn Tower, 1 Convention Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Michele
M
Nicolo
D000368:Aged; D064648:Critical Care Nursing; D003681:Dehydration / Q000517:prevention & control; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000517:prevention & control; D018529:Nutritional Support; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D010348:Patient Care Team; D015431:Weight Loss
Critical illness; Enteral nutrition; Hydration; Nutrition assessment; Older adults; Parenteral nutrition