Nutrition and Hydration at End of Life

Presented by Amy Rose and Clinical Procedure Manual Review Board

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Video Runtime: 18 Minutes

Nutrition and hydration at the end of life can contribute to a patient’s quality of life. In this training, we’ll review the equipment and procedures for ensuring nutrition and hydration as well as for administration of a nutritional assessment. This course includes
• Video demonstrations of procedures
• Tips and best practices for performing these procedures

As patients progress through the death and dying process, their nutritional needs can fluctuate, requiring frequent assessment and flexible interventions to ensure high-quality care. The RN is the primary coordinator of assessments and nutritional care. There may be a need to refer the patient to a dietician for engagement in the care plan. Other members of the interdisciplinary group, such as home health aides, can often contribute valuable information to the nutritional assessment as they are most often present during patients’ mealtimes.

This course was reviewed by Amy Rose, RN, MSN, CHPN, and Jennifer Kennedy, EdD, MA, BSN, RN, CHC, to ensure the content meets current professional guidelines and best evidence-based practices.

Meet your instructors

Amy Rose

Amy Rose is a passionate end-of-life-care nurse, leader, and educator. Amy holds an applied nursing master’s degree in executive leadership and has dedicated the majority of her career to developing both people and processes in the post-acute care space. Amy has worked in clinically and technically complex roles ranging from…

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Clinical Procedure Manual Review Board

The MedBridge Clinical Procedure Manual Review Board ensures the development and maintenance of up-to-date and evidence-based clinical procedures. The review board is composed of leading nurse experts in the field: Danielle Pierotti, RN, PhD, CENP, and Margherita Labson, RN, BSN, MSHSA. The review board is involved in…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. Introduction

This chapter includes an introduction to nutrition and hydration at end of life, information on all of the equipment needed for this assessment, and recommended infection control policies.

2. Nutrition and Hydration at End of Life

Nutrition and hydration at the end of life can contribute to a patient’s quality of life as their nutritional needs fluctuate. In this chapter, we will discuss the trajectory of end-of-life nutrition, look at actionable assessments used to measure a patient’s intake, and view a simulation of an end-of-life nutritional assessment.

3. Nutrition and Hydration at End of Life: Demonstrations

Nutrition and eating habits should be thoroughly addressed at the end of life. Through administering a physical assessment and discussion of intake and nutrition with both the patient and caregiving team, a proper plan of care can be developed.

4. Tips, Precautions, and Care Considerations

This chapter provides tips and considerations for performing nutrition and hydration assessments for hospice care.

5. Documentation Guidelines

This chapter provides recommendations on what to note when documenting for patients receiving nutrition and hydration assessments at end of life.

6. Patient Education

This chapter provides information on what education patients need to support self-management of their care.

7. Conclusion

This chapter includes learning assessment questions to assess the learner’s knowledge of skills covered in this course. A bibliography of referenced material is also included.