Objective: Understand how to assist a patient during meal times and the importance of encouraging adequate nutrition for recovery.
Part 1: Importance of Meal Assistance
- Patient meals are carefully planned to meet their specific dietary requirements for recovery.
- Aim to ensure the patient consumes at least a bite from each item on the plate.
- Continually encourage the patient to eat and drink more, particularly when they need to meet daily dietary targets.
- Gloves are not typically required for this task due to potential latex allergies in some patients.
- After finishing the meal, advise the patient that sitting upright will assist digestion.
Part 2: Required Supplies
- Towel clothing protector (adult bib for patient)
- Chair
- Spoon
- Washcloths
- Food tray
- Snack recording sheet
- Water pitcher (filled)
- Drinking cup
Part 3: Procedure for Feeding a Patient
- Knock on the patient’s door, then enter.
- Greet the patient by name, introduce yourself, and explain the purpose of your visit.
- Ensure privacy by shutting the curtains.
- Wash your hands.
- Confirm the patient’s identity by checking their ID.
- Gather linens and supplies, placing them on a tray table covered with a towel.
- At the sink, wet a washcloth making it warm.
- Ask the patient for permission to raise the head of the bed to 60 degrees.
- Cover the patient’s chest with the clothing protector and sit in a chair at eye level with the patient.
- Check the patient’s diet card to ensure it matches the patient’s name.
- Pour water into the cup from the pitcher.
- Offer the patient the opportunity to clean their hands with the warm washcloth.
- Ask the patient what food they would like to eat first and start feeding them with a partially full spoon.
- Rotate food items with each bite.
- Every three bites, ask if they would like a drink and provide it if needed.
- Encourage the patient to eat as much as possible, patting the mouth dry as needed with a washcloth.
- Maintain communication with the patient throughout the meal.
- If the patient says they’re full, encourage them to take one more bite.
- After finishing, place the food tray back on the shelf and situate the patient in an upright position.
- Dispose of dirty linens in the hamper.
- Leave water within the patient’s reach if permitted.
- Wash your hands again after the procedure.
- Give the call light to the patient and close the curtains.
- Document the amount of food and water consumed on the patient’s intake chart.