Dehydration and Enteral Feedings

November 11, 2011Golden Living Merrillville

High Risk for Dehydration• Decreased thirst mechanism• Altered taste buds• Dementia/cognitive impairment• Fever• Diarrhea/vomiting• Dependence on staff for eating and

drinking• Difficulty swallowing• Use of certain medications• Excessive sweating• Draining wounds or pressure ulcers• Depression

Sign and Symptoms of Dehydration • Dry or sticky mouth

• Lethargy• Sunken eyes• Weight loss• Low or no urine input• Dark yellow urine• Poor skin turgor• Delayed capillary refill• Dizziness• Confusion/changes in mental

status• Lack of tears/sweat• Falls/difficulty walking• Low blood pressure• Rapid heart rate• Abnormal labs/electrolytes

Food for Hydration

• Water• Beverages• Soups• Popsicles• Fruit Ices• Jello• Ice chips• Ice cream• Fruit

Free Water

• “that portion of the water in body tissue that is not bound by macromolecules or organelles”

Jevity 1.5 vs Jevity 1.2Jevity 1.2 (1000 mL) Jevity 1.5 (1000 mL)

• 63cc/hr x20 hrs

• 1260cc total volume• 1512 kcals• 70g protein• 1017cc free water

• 50cc/hr x20 hrs

• 1000cc total volume• 1500 kcals• 63.8g protein• 760cc free water

257cc free water difference!

Height and Weight are Vital

• Weight is the number one determinant of health status in the geriatric population

• Accurate height and weight determine nutrient needs, fluid needs, and BMI status

Fluid Requirements

•1500 cc minimum

•25cc/kg

•30cc/kg

•1cc/kcal delivered

Jevity 1.5 vs Jevity 1.2Jevity 1.2 (1000 mL) Jevity 1.5 (1000 mL)

• 63cc/hr x20 hrs

• 1260cc total volume• 1512 kcals• 70g protein• 1017cc water

• 175cc Q shift (525cc water)• TF+H20 flushes=1542cc water

• 50cc/hr x20 hrs

• 1000cc total volume• 1500 kcals• 63.8g protein• 760cc water

• 250cc Q shift (750cc water)• TF+H20 flushes=1510cc water