Assisting a Patient With Eating

Goal: The patient consumes 50% to 60% of the contents of the meal tray.

1. Check the medical order for the type of diet prescribed for the patient.

2. Perform hand hygiene and put on PPE, if indicated.

3. Identify the patient.

4. Explain procedure to patient.

5. Assess level of consciousness, for any physical limitations, decreased hearing or visual acuity. If patient uses a hearing aid or wears glasses or dentures, provide as needed. Ask if the patient has any cultural or religious preferences and food likes and dislikes, if possible.

6. Pull the patient’s bedside curtain. Assess the abdomen. Ask the patient if he/she has any nausea. Ask the patient if he/she has any difficulty swallowing. Assess the patient for nausea or pain and administer an antiemetic or analgesic as needed.

7. Offer to assist the patient with any elimination needs.

8. Provide hand hygiene and mouth care as needed.

9. Remove any bedpans or undesirable equipment and odors if possible from the vicinity where meal will be eaten.

10. Open the patient’s bedside curtain. Assist to or position the patient in a high Fowler’s or sitting position in the bed or chair. Position the bed in the low position, if the patient remains in bed.

11. Place protective covering or towel over the patient if desired.

12. Check tray to make sure that it is the correct tray before serving. Place tray on the overbed table so patient can see food if able. Ensure that hot foods are hot and cold foods are cold. Use caution with hot beverages, allowing sufficient time for cooling if needed. Ask the patient for his/her preference related to what foods are desired first. Cut food into small pieces as needed. Observe swallowing ability throughout the meal.

13. If possible, sit facing the patient while feeding is taking place. If patient is able, encourage him or her to hold finger foods and feed self as much as possible. Converse with patient during the meal as appropriate. If, however, the patient has dysphagia, limit questioning or conversation that would require patient response during eating. Play relaxation music if patient desires.

14. Allow enough time for the patient to adequately chew and swallow the food. The patient may need to rest for short periods during eating.

15. When the meal is completed or the patient is unable to eat any more, remove the tray from the room. Note the amount and types of food consumed. Note the volume of liquid consumed.

16. Reposition the overbed table, remove the protective covering, offer hand hygiene as needed, and offer the bedpan. Assist the patient to a position of comfort and relaxation.

17. Remove PPE, if used. Perform hand hygiene.