Artificial Hydration and Nutrition
Friday, October 2nd, 2009When people need artificial hydration and nutrition?
If a patient is unable to swallow (swallow food) due to a medical problem, he or she can be given fluids and nutrients in other ways than through the mouth. This is known as artificial nutrition and hydration. This is sometimes done when someone is recovering from a temporary problem. It can also be done when someone is in an advanced stage of terminal illness and is dying.
What is involved in artificial nutrition and hydration?
Cover with a catheter (a plastic tube that slides over a needle) IV, IV in the vein of the patient under the skin of the same. Fluids and sometimes nutrition are given through the catheter.
Another method is artificial nutrition and hydration through a plastic tube called a nasogastric tube, also called an NG tube. This tube is placed through the nose down the throat and into the stomach. (more…)