Title: Explain how to assist patient/client with eating and hydration.
Course: Health Assisting Careers (14002-I) > Section: Meeting Nutritional Needs

Explanation should include

- appealing environment (removal of urinal, bedpan, trash, etc.)
- serving and collecting diet trays
- setting up patient/client trays
- distributing nourishments
- distributing drinking water
- feeding patients/clients of all ages
- reporting compliance with stated meal plans.

For students taking the nurse aide credential at the end of the course, follow the Virginia Board of Nursing regulations: Commonwealth of Virginia Regulations Governing Certified Nurse Aides, Virginia Board of Nursing (https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/PractitionerResources/LawsRegulations/).

Process/Skill Questions:

- What circumstances require the patient/client to be fed?
- How do you determine the percentage of a meal the patient/client consumed?
- How do you determine the correct diet that the patient/client needs?
- How can the patient/client be encouraged to eat?
- What are the methods used to assist the patient/client with eating difficulties (e.g., difficulty in swallowing, chewing, nausea)?