Nursing Care Plans for the Dehydration and Malnutrition-An Updated Review and Future Trends for Controlling Gastrointestinal Disorders.

Abstract

Background: Dehydration and malnutrition are significant contributors to adverse health outcomes, particularly in patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Malnutrition, defined by the European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN), encompasses nutrient deficiencies that impair physical and mental functions, exacerbated by gastrointestinal diseases that hinder nutrient absorption and elevate metabolic demands.

Aim: This updated review explores nursing care strategies for managing dehydration and malnutrition, focusing on gastrointestinal disorders, and highlights future trends for improving outcomes.

Methods: The review synthesizes data from historical and contemporary studies on malnutrition and dehydration, including research on starvation, disease-induced undernutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies in populations with intestinal failure. Key areas include clinical impacts, survival thresholds, and the physiological implications of undernutrition.

Results: Findings reveal that undernutrition results in functional impairments, micronutrient deficiencies, and increased morbidity. Gastrointestinal disorders exacerbate malnutrition through malabsorption and inflammation, with specific deficiencies in vitamins A, D, E, and minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium. Historical starvation studies demonstrate a survival threshold of 35% body weight loss, beyond which mortality sharply increases. Effective nursing care requires individualized plans addressing nutritional assessments, hydration status, and micronutrient supplementation.

Conclusion: The review underscores the importance of integrating advanced nutritional support, patient-centered care plans, and early interventions to manage dehydration and malnutrition. Emerging trends, such as leveraging technological tools for monitoring nutritional status and individualized supplementation, promise to enhance outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal disorders.