FEEDING A HYPOACTIVE PATIENT

REQUIREMENTS #

1. Trolley containing the following:
   1. Top shelf: A jar of water
   2. Tray containing the following:
      1. Food in a plastic bowl
      2. A plastic cup
      3. Cutlery
      4. Flowers
      5. Condiments
      6. Disposable tissue paper
   3. Bottom Shelf
      1. Mackintosh/protective covering
      2. Sputum mug
      3. Hand washing soap
      4. Hand washing bowl

STEPS #

1. Establish rapport (refer procedure)
2. Explain the procedure to the patient
3. Prepare patient’s food trolley with preferred food and send it to the bed side/appropriate place
4. Provide privacy
5. Put patient in a desired position and cover his/her chest with protective material
6. Perform hand hygiene and assist patient to do same
7. Give patient water to rinse the mouth
8. Sit by patient and encourage patient to eat and if this fails, spoon feed patient
9. Encourage patient to take food in small bits or feed patient in small bits
10. Encourage and give enough time for patient to chew and swallow the food
11. Encourage the patient to take at least half of the meals served
12. Give patient water as and when appropriate
13. Remove protective material
14. Assist patient to perform hand hygiene after feeding
15. Express appreciation and put patient in a desired position
16. Direct patient to the next activity
17. Clear the trolley and perform hand hygiene
18. Document procedure and any observations made in nurses’ notes/patient’s folder