What are you going to do if your client has poor appetite?

Answer 1

Depends on the reason for the poor appetite. Ideally, you need to get them to eat on their own (as oppposed to NG tube feedings, IV, etc.) If they have a poor appetite, it means they're eating. Give the high calorie foods (depending on the situation -- if you have to hike off the North Pole ,ake it REALLY high; if the patient is in bed, calculate for daily planned intake). Note that Kcals have to equal the nutritional plan but, barring Allergies, Diabetes, renal failure, etc, how you get there isn't all that critical. Fats and Carbs are a good place to start; protein less so. Calories first, then Proteins and USRDA stuff. Vitamins IM if they won't eat them (note that vitamins PO are often irritating to the GI tract). In a chronic situation, with no physiological pathology, it's a matter of habit-forming. In this you'll have the body's support. Work on the patient's preferences to help your nutritional team design diets. Make and follow a dietary plan. If yours is an out-patient, get them to fill out a journal if you can, and compare it to the plan. Hope I answered the right question here -- if not please let me know.