Nutritional support for mechanically ventilated patients may be enteral or parenteral, enteral nutrition through nasogastric tube is the preferred method because of ease of administration, lower the coast and lower infection rates. The aim of the study is to assess nutritional status for mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care unit at Benha university hospital. The research questions are: What is the actual nutritional support schedule assigned for ventilated patients in intensive care unit at Benha university hospital?andWhat are the responses of ventilated patients to the actual nutritional support schedule utilized in intensive care unit at Benha university hospital? To achieve the aim descriptive research design was utilized. The sample was Convenience sample from adult male and female ventilated dependent patients in intensive care unit, not less than one week on ventilator and with different diagnoses and all dietitian specialists with different experience years who work at Benha University Hospital. (Number=10 dietitians). The tools of data collection were first tool: structured questionnaire sheet (developed by the researcher) which include: partA: Sociodemographic data and medical history partB: Patient record and related health problem to nutrition, second tool: anthropometric measurements and third tool: assessment sheet for dietitian specialists. Study data was collected from September (2011) to the end of February (2012). The result revealed that enteral feeding was preferred as compared to total parenteral nutrition. There is no statistical difference between anthropometric measurements for both male and female and components of diet. The subjects who fed by formula suffered from vomiting, diarrhea and bleeding more than the subjects who fed by fluids only. The study recommended assessment of nutritional status and nutritional therapy should be a part of the overall management of the ventilated patients and must be routinely entered in the patient’s medical record and nursing notes and regularly update.
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