NUTRITION IN SURGICAL CONDITIONS: PREOPERATIVE DIET
Sometimes it is possible to improve the state of nutrition prior to surgery. Obesity presents a hazard to surgery. Whenever possible, the obese patient should lose some weight before surgery is attempted. Other patients are malnourished prior to surgery because of lack of appetite, pain, digestive discomfort, or fear of eating. If surgery can be delayed for a time, a high-calorie, high-protein diet is of value even for a week or two. Patients with metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus must be in metabolic balance before surgery is attempted.
Usually no food is allowed after the evening meal on the day before surgery. However, if surgery is planned for late afternoon or if a local anesthetic is to be used, a light breakfast is sometimes ordered. Fluids are generally permitted until midnight preceding the day of operation.
Prior to surgery on the gastrointestinal tract a very low-residue diet is often ordered for several days in order to reduce the intestinal residue to a minimum. Synthetic low-residue diets (also known as elemental diets or chemically-defined diets) are replacing the low-residue diet in many hospitals. These diets contain simple carbohydrates, amino acids, essential fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. They are easily absorbed and leave no residue in the intestinal tract. They are available in several flavors. They are more acceptable if served cold and should be sipped slowly. The nurse must be certain that the patient fully ingests each feeding.
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GENERAL HEALTH

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