Sally is now put on a strict NPO diet due to continuing to aspirate with pureed food & nectar thick liquids. What type of food is allowed on a NPO diet?
The correct answer and explanation is:
On an NPO (nil per os, or nothing by mouth) diet, no food or liquids are allowed to be consumed orally. This means that the patient cannot eat or drink anything by mouth, including solids and liquids, to prevent the risk of aspiration or choking. Typically, an NPO diet is ordered for patients who are at high risk of aspiration, such as those with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) or those recovering from certain types of surgery, like oral or throat surgery, where the ability to safely swallow is compromised.
In this case, since Sally has been placed on a strict NPO diet due to aspiration issues with pureed food and nectar-thick liquids, no food or drink should be given orally. Instead, her nutritional needs will need to be met through alternative routes, such as enteral feeding via a tube (e.g., nasogastric tube or PEG tube) or parenteral nutrition (intravenous nutrition), depending on the severity of her condition and her ability to tolerate feeding.
The main goal of the NPO diet in such a situation is to ensure safety by preventing food or liquid from entering the airway, which could lead to aspiration pneumonia or further respiratory complications. After a period of time, if Sally’s condition improves and the risk of aspiration is resolved, her healthcare team may gradually reintroduce food and liquids through a modified diet, possibly starting with softer foods or thickened liquids to ensure she can safely swallow without aspiration.
The NPO diet is also commonly prescribed before certain diagnostic tests or surgeries, allowing the stomach and digestive system to be empty to minimize complications during procedures. It is essential that healthcare providers monitor a patient’s hydration and nutritional status carefully during an NPO diet to prevent dehydration and malnutrition.