Final answer:
Non-oral nutrition, such as enteral or parenteral nutrition, can lead to imbalanced nutrition, metabolic complications, undernutrition or overnutrition, and an increased risk of infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Name 4 nutritional risks of non-oral nutrition
There are several nutritional risks associated with non-oral forms of nutrition, such as enteral or parenteral nutrition. These risks arise from bypassing the normal eating process and can include:
- Imbalanced Nutrition: It's challenging to mimic the balance of nutrients that a varied oral diet can provide. This can lead to too much or too little of certain nutrients, which can cause conditions like nutrient deficiencies or toxicities.
- Metabolic Complications: Non-oral nutrition can lead to metabolic complications such as electrolyte imbalances, high blood glucose levels, and liver and gallbladder diseases.
- Undernutrition or Overnutrition: Achieving the correct energy balance is difficult, and patients can become undernourished if they receive too few calories or overnourished, possibly leading to obesity and related diseases like type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- Increased Infection Risk: Devices used for non-oral nutrition can increase the risk of infections, which is a significant consideration, especially with long-term use.
It is critical to monitor individuals receiving non-oral nutrition closely to adjust their nutrition plan as needed and to prevent these risks.