Complications developing in intensive care patients receiving enteral feeding and nursing interventions

Abstract

Objective: The objectives of this study were to investigate the complications seen in intensive care patients being fed enterally, and possible nursing interventions aimed at preventing such complications. Matherials and Methods: The study was designed as a descriptive study model. The study sample included 52 patients who were fed enterally during treatment. A three-part data collection form was used for the collection of study data. The first section was aimed at garnering patient information, the second section gathered data on the enteral feeding method and any complications that developed, and the third section detailed the nursing interventions applied in the unit. Results: Of the total, 88.4% of the patients underwent post-pyloric feeding. No increase was seen in the monitored gastric residual volume, and no vomiting, aspiration or tube blockage was noted. The interventions made by the nurses included the monitoring of gastric residual volume, vital indicators, amount of liquid intake and discharge, dehydration indicators and electrolyte values, as well as the replacement of feeding bags once every 24 hours, monitoring of blood glucose levels and regulation of the bed-head at 30–45 degrees for all patients. Conclusion: It was found in the study that nurses routinely applied such interventions as the monitoring of gastric residual volume, regulation of the bed head at 30–45 degrees, or to monitor any complications that may occur. In contrast, it was found that the nurses did not apply such actual nonpharmacological interventions as abdominal massage and exercise. © 2020 by Turkish Society of Medical and Surgical Intensive Care Medicine.