Nutrition and Healing (wounds)

Book Title: Wound Care Nursing

Chapter 7: Nutrition and Healing 

Overview:

• Includes a general nutritional assessment
• Provides suggestions for dietary requirements for wound healing
• Outlines the main goals of nutritional intervention
• Includes a tabulated summary of ideas for increasing protein and energy content of foods

Description:
Nutrition and hydration are important factors in wound management. Healing is enhanced by the provision of all nutrients required for tissue restoration and strengthening of the immune system. Conversely, insufficient energy, protein, vitamins, minerals, and water are all associated with skin breakdown and delayed healing (Ferguson et al. 2000). This chapter explores the required nutrients for optimal wound healing and more.

Topics:

• Anabolic and catabolic processes
• General nutritional assessment
  • Ability to eat and drink
  • Food preferences
  • Appetite
  • Food textures
  • Hydration
  • Elimination
  • Measurable parameters
• Nutritional requirements for wound healing
  • Energy
  • Protein
  • Fluid
  • Vitamins A and C
  • Zinc
  • Arginine and glutamine
• Goals of nutritional intervention
  • Restoration of nutritional status
  • Providing sufficient nutrients
  • Supporting the immune system to reduce infections
  • Maintaining healthy skin once healing has occurred
• Summary of recommendations

Speaker / Author:

Linda Kilworth
is a dietitian and nutritionist who has worked for more than twelve years as a consultant to various residential-care facilities in Brisbane and south-east Queensland (Australia). Her role is to advise on nutrition, dietary planning, foodservice management, and food standards. Linda is involved in developing policies and procedures, communicating these to the relevant staff members, and developing processes of review and evaluation. This consultancy also encompasses call-outs to various residential aged-care facilities to conduct individual dietary assessments and advice, to develop nutrition-screening methods, and to provide practical advice on dietary modifications.

Professional Reviews: