Abstract
This is a study of the nutritional nursing care given to a number of unconscious patients in general hospitals. The presentation is divided into five parts. Part One deals with a general introduction to the topic of nutrition and nursing, followed by a description and discussion of a pilot study and a chapter on aspects of the theoretical basis of metabolic response to trauma. Part Two gives details of the design and methodology of the study and a discussion on approaches to hospital personnel. The instruments used to collect data included blood chemistry tests and urine estimations, as well as non-participant observation, using a number of checklists, given in Appendix C. A detailed description of the preparation and administration of feeds to patients is given in Chapter 4, with a discussion of the findings in Chapter 5. Part Three discusses the composition and nutritional content of the diets given to patients. Part Four discusses, and attempts to analyse the answers given in the questionnaire. Part Five gives a summary of the findings and a number of guidelines for nurses and nursing procedures. A number of recommendations and a general discussion conclude Part Five. Appendix A gives a detailed account of the dietary regimes given to four patients. In other appendices examples of the checklists used in the study, and of the fluid balance charts used in hospitals are shown. A Glossary of terms used in the study are given in Appendix B.