Definition
Feeding a helpless patient is a compassionate and essential nursing task that ensures nutritional needs are met safely and respectfully when a patient cannot feed themselves due to illness, disability, or recovery.
Purposes
- To promote healing and recovery
- To prevent complications like malnutrition, aspiration, or dehydration
- To support dignity and comfort during mealtimes
- To encourage participation and preserve independence when possible
Principles
- Create a calm, pleasant environment free from noise, odors, or distractions
- Position the patient upright (Fowler’s or Semi-Fowler’s) to reduce aspiration risk
- Offer small spoonfuls, allowing time to chew and swallow
- Respect preferences and never rush or force feeding
- Monitor for signs of choking, fatigue, or discomfort
- Document intake and tolerance accurately
Articles
- Tray containing prepared diet.
- Face towel and water.
- Kidney tray.
- Backrest and cardiac table.
- Fork and spoon.
- Feeding cup with water.
Procedure
| Nursing actions | Rationale | |
| 1. | Before procedure Explain procedure to the patient and assess how he can participate. | Gains confidence and cooperation of patient. |
| 2. | Position the patient comfortably, preferably in Fowler’s position. | Fowler’s position reduces risk of aspiration. |
| 3. | During procedure Assist the patient to wash his hands and face. | Prepares patient for taking food. |
| 4. | Place towel over chest and around the neck. | Protects garments from soiling. |
| 5. | Make sure that therapeutic restrictions are considered. Check the diet and ensure that it is the one that was ordered. | Ensure that patient takes the right type of diet. |
| 6. | Create a pleasant environment. | Increases appetite. |
| 7. | Wash your hands | Prevents cross infection. |
| 8. | Sit or stand at the side of patient. | |
| 9. | Consider the patient’s preferences while feeding and encourage his participation to the extent possible. | Enhances patient cooperation and self-esteem. |
| 10. | Feed the patient in small Spoonfuls waiting for him to chew and swallow one mouthful before next. | Taking small mouthful of food at a time helping to chew and reduces risk of aspiration. |
| 11. | Encourage the patient to take all the food served to him, but do not force. | Forcing food causes vomiting. |
| 12. | Give water in between if patient prefers water. | Relieves obstruction if any and helps in swallowing. |
| 13. | When the patient has eaten food and he feels satisfied, stop feeding and give him a glass of water if he prefers. | |
| 14. | Provide articles for rinsing mouth and encourage patient to do so. | Rinsing helps in removing food particles from between teeth. |
| 15. | Dry lips and face with towel. | Ensures comfort. |
| 16. | Replace articles and wash hands. | |
| 17. | Record in nurse’s record the type of diet, time of feeding, amount taken, and tolerance. | Gives information about patient’s response after feeding. |
| 18. | Record fluid taken in intake-output record. | Ensures accurate documentation. |
Special considerations
- Patient should be undisturbed by treatments, dressing, visitors, doctors’ rounds, unpleasant sounds, and odor during mealtime.
- Room should be well-ventilated, quiet, and comfortable and remove all unappetizing objects like bedpan, urinal, etc., from the premises.
- Encourage patient to eat by himself if possible and to the extent possible.
When blind patients are fed, they should be told what feed they are being given as patients have the right to know what they are eating.
REFERENCES
- Annamma Jacob, Rekha, Jhadav Sonali Tarachand: Clinical Nursing Procedures: The Art of Nursing Practice, 5th Edition, March 2023, Jaypee Publishers, ISBN-13: 978-9356961845 ISBN-10: 9356961840
- Omayalachi CON, Manual of Nursing Procedures and Practice, Vol 1, 3 Edition 2023, Published by Wolters Kluwer’s, ISBN: 978-9393553294
- Sandra Nettina, Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice, 11th Edition, January 2019, Published by Wolters Kluwer’s, ISBN-13:978-9388313285
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