Inadequate Oral Food and Beverage Intake:

Etiology:

• Physiological causes, eg. Increased nutrient needs d/t prolonged catabolic illness
• Lack of access to food, eg economic constraints, cultural or religious practices, restricting food given to the elderly and/or children
• Food and nutrition related knowledge deficit concerning sufficient oral food/beverage intake
• Psychological causes, eg depression or disordered eating

S/S:

• Weight loss, insufficient growth velocity
• Dry skin, mucous membranes, poor skin turgor
• Reports or observations of:
• Insufficient intake of energy or high quality protein from diet when compared to requirements
• Economic constraints that limit food availability
• Anorexia, N/V
• Change in appetite or taste
• Conditions associated with a diagnosis or treatement of catabolic illness such as AIDS, TB, anorexia nervosa, sepsis or infection from recent surgery, depression, acute or chronic pain
• Protein and/or nutrient malabsorption
• Excessive consumption of alcohol or other drugs that reduce hunger
• Medications that cause anorexia