How to Provide Nursing Interventions For a Patient With Imbalanced Nutrition Due to Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease. It affects cells that produce mucus, digestive juices and sweat. These substances act as lubricants for various organ surfaces in the body. In cystic fibrosis, instead of these lubricants being thin and slippery, they are thick and clog up ducts and other openings in the body. Clogging of organs in the digestive system such as the pancreas leads to nutritional deficiencies in patients with cystic fibrosis. Nursing management of cystic fibrosis involves making that sure the affected patient obtains adequate nutrition, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Instructions

• 1

  Administer pancreatic enzymes as ordered by the physician. In cystic fibrosis, the ducts of the pancreas are blocked so that pancreatic juices needed for digestion are not secreted. They contain enzymes that the body cannot utilize. Therefore, giving pancreatic enzymes to the patient with cystic fibrosis helps with digestion and absorption of nutrients.

• 2

  Administer the pancreatic enzymes with food. If your patient is a small child who cannot swallow pancreatic enzymes in capsule form, mix the contents of the capsule with a little bit of carbohydrate food. Do not mix the medication with protein foods as these break down the enzymes and can burn the child's mouth. Administer the enzymes with small amounts of food to make sure that your patient gets all of the medication.

• 3

  Avoid administering pancreatic enzymes with milk or formula. The enzymes curdle milk and formula, and the cystic fibrosis pediatric patient may not receive all the medication he needs. The child may also associate milk with medication and refuse to take it in the future.

• 4

  Monitor your patient's bowel movements. A patient suffering from cystic fibrosis produces foul-smelling stools that are fatty in nature. Administration of pancreatic enzymes is geared toward getting the stool to be normal, not foul smelling. Observe your patient's stool to make sure the enzymes are effective. If the stool is not normal or your patient is constipated, give more pancreatic enzymes as instructed by your patient's physician. If the stool is normal, the current dose should be maintained.

• 5

  Do not restrict salt from the diet of your cystic fibrosis patient. There is loss of salt in cystic fibrosis, and this can put your patient at risk for electrolyte imbalance. Ensure also that your patient eats a diet that is high in protein and calories.

  You may administer tube feedings as directed by your patient's physician as some children may not consume enough nutrients orally.

• 6

  Give fat-soluble vitamins as ordered by your patient's physician. The fat soluble vitamins--vitamin A, D, E and K--are not adequately absorbed in the digestive system of a patient with cystic fibrosis. Administration of these vitamins is necessary because of this.

• 7

  Evaluate the success of your nursing interventions. Adequate weight gain is an indication that your patient may be receiving the nutrients that she needs. Therefore weigh your patient daily to see whether she is gaining any weight and whether your interventions have been effective.