Selected aspects of nursing care for a elderly patient with malnutrition

Abstract

Introduction: Malnutrition is an abnormal condition of the human body. It is caused by insufficient absorption, intake or increased nutrient losses, necessary to maintain proper health.

Purpose: Performance of size the threat to society which is malnutrition. Identify the problems that malnourished people have. Identify the role that a nurse play in the care of a person suffering from malnutrition.

Materials and methods: An analysis of 16 scientific articles and the contemporary literature covering nursing care of patient with malnutrition. Using the key words: malnutrition, geriatric patient, nursing care plan.

Results: Nursing care of geriatric patient with malnutrition results from specific symptoms occurring in malnutrition. The most important task in nursing care of patient with malnutrition is correct, honest and objective, constant assessment of nutritional status. Taking all possible measures to prevent the deepening of the malnutrition. Cooperation with the therapeutic team and the patient.

Conclusion: malnutrition and the risk of malnutrition increases proportionally along with the steady growth of the elderly. Malnutrition is affected by medical and not medical factors.  Malnutrition is often diagnosed late, and evaluation is made of screening and complex tests that assess nutritional status.A group of older people characterized by a variety of health problems means that there is no single treatment for malnutrition in all patients. Treatment is multidirectional, individual, holistic for each patient. It aims to prevent the further consequences of eating disorder. An extremely important role for a nurse in an elderly person with malnutrition is to educate the patient and his family, as well as to address current mental and physical problems.