News Category: Nursing Study

To help you with analyzing ABGs, we have created a cheatsheet that outlines:

• What lab values you will see with a given ABG finding.
• What assessment findings you will see.
• Causes for the abnormality.
• Possible solutions.

TYPES OF DIET

A. Regular Diet – pertains to food & fluids that contain all the essential nutrients (CHO, CHON, Fats) necessary for tissue growth, repair, and recovery.

B. Clear Liquid Diet – contains water and CHO, but has insignificant amounts of CHON, fats, & other essential nutrients; for short term use only (24 – 36 hours).

Purposes:

1. To relieve thirst.
2. To manage dehydration.
3. To minimize stimulation in the GIT.

Indication:

1. Diarrhea
2. Vomiting

Examples: water, coffee, tea, ginger ale, cola, honey, fruit juice without pulp, gelatin, hard candy, clear broth, popsicle.

Note: *without “milk” (e.g. cream)

C. Full Liquid Diet – pertains to food that turns to liquid at room temperature (18 – 23°C). Contains water, CHO & fats, but has “low” CHON, iron, and other essential nutrients. This type of diet can be used for 5 – 7 days.

Indication:

1. GIT dysfunctions
2. Patients who cannot tolerate solid to semi-solid food.

Examples: ALL CLEAR LIQUIDS, dairy products except cheese (milk, ice cream, margarine, butter, yakult, yogurt, chamyto, vitamilk, soya products, vegetable juice, pudding, custard), *soft boiled eggs.

D. Soft Diet – pertains to food that is easily chewed and swallowed. Predominantly solid.

Indication:

1. Patients with increased risk for aspiration.

Examples: ALL FULL LIQUIDS, fresh or canned fruits (banana, pineapple, papaya, avocado), boiled/mashed/pureed vegetables, meat products -> lean meat (steamed/boiled), fish fillet, meat substitutes -> “egg” (except soft boiled), bread, oatmeal, cereals, *cheese.