Journal of Medicine and Philosophy

Running head: ASSISTING A PATIENT WITH FEEDING
ASSISTING A PATIENT WITH FEEDING
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

ASSISTING A PATIENT WITH FEEDING
1
Assisting feeding is defined as a method used to feed an individual incapable of
feeding himself or herself. There are cases where a patient needs help to eat food as they have
undergone some surgery, injury or sickness (Edward, Carrier and Hopkinson 2017). The
individual being fed should have the ability to eat food through mouth nonetheless is lacking
physical as well as cognitive ability to eat by himself or herself. In a few cases, a feeding tube
is used in providing nutrition to the patient, need for dietary supplements or need assistance
to eat. It is highly recommended to all nurses that they must have a proper analysis of the
amount to be fed to the patient using some assessment tools. The assessment tool varies from
patient to patient. National Health Services (NHS), in the year 2003 launched NHS quality
Improvement Scotland (QIS) Standard instead of Food, Fluid and Nutritional Care in
Hospitals (FFNCH), which was reviewed and circulated in 2014 October assuring that Board
of Health, must issue a “Protective Mealtime” for the sick patient (Livingmadeeasy.ord.uk
2020). The main aim of this essay is to discuss the ways proper communications can improve
the patient care system in feeding. The essay discusses the ways effective communication
with the patient can help nurses or health professionals in understanding the problem and
imply the ways for the betterment of the services. It explains the different skills needed and
the problems faced while executing those skills and the role of informed consent about the
feeding procedure, which is essential for better functioning.
Healthcare effective communication is an essential tool in providing greater help
towards the patient. Nurses act as a bridge of communication between patients, physician and
family members. The establishment of effective communication in the field of nursing is an
authoritative way to offer patients the best care and services (Mira et al. 2014). Patients come
from different backgrounds so the nurses must broaden their communication. Nursing and
Midwifery Code of Conduct (NMC) states that nurses need to follow verbal as well as a non-
verbal mode of communication for a clear understanding of patients’ personal and health

ASSISTING A PATIENT WITH FEEDING
2
requirements (The Code 2020). Health care people must inform patients’ benefits and risks
related to the treatment procedures so that a patient can decide independently whether to take
the treatment. NHS constitution approved that it must reproduce the preferences and demands
of the patients in consent from the individual and their family members. NHS assessed that
poor communication costs them about £1bn every year thus including numerous visits to
clinics by a patient, improper medical treatment and improper litigation (nhs.uk 2020).
Therefore, effective communication is necessary to lessen patients’ complaints, improve the
positive experience of patients and enhance the career build-up, job satisfaction, and self-
confidence of nurses.
Vital nursing skills are necessary for a variety of patients within the health care
system. It is recommended to nurses that it is mandatory to identify and respond
empathetically for the needs of the patients. Nurses must treat their patients so that they do
not lose their dignity and responds to patients’ apprehensions and likings (Canal, Alenya and
Torras 2016). The nurses are needed to communicate well with the patient to have a better
idea about the problems faced by the individual and it is necessary to respect the right of
patients’ confidentiality. Sharing of skills, experience and knowledge is beneficial for the
patient and health care professionals. The competency is needed among nurses as it guides
them about basic behavioural strategies. The suitable skills needed by nurses are placidness,
acute surveillance, and inclination to aid, skilfulness, liability, obligation, proficiency and
good judgment (Gravlin and Bittner 2010). NMC code states that competence is an essence
for nurses. This code states that sharing of knowledge and reflection are linked inextricably.
The NMC code contains good professional morals for registered nurses, nursing associates,
and midwifes need to follow. The code of conduct provided by NMC states that the nurses,
associates and midwifes must provide direct care to the patient, group or communities (The
Code 2020). It is suggested that they need to bring their skilled understanding such as

ASSISTING A PATIENT WITH FEEDING
3
leadership, research and training. The guidelines that are set in the code are implied in
various training settings; however, not negotiable or optional. Nurses hold the code within the
edge of their capability. The professional obligation to work is a significant underpinning rule
of the code that gives the implication of the impact of the protection of the public. UK
government has strongly suggested that the registered nurses and midwives work within the
boundaries of their abilities, therefore, having a significant effect over public protection
(Kaakinen and Arwood 2009).
This essay is explaining about assisting a patient with feeding skills and various issues
faced while executing the skill. The skill assures the patient about the feeding procedures
when they are sick. Patient with surgery, disease or age needs special attention. NMC code
states that nurses and health professionals should provide extra help for these people (The
Code 2020). Steps followed by the nurses for a better feeding procedure is to make the
patient aware of the mealtime. The nurses need to ask the patient if there is any need for a
bathroom emergency and then help the person to wash their hands. As the patient is incapable
of doing anything by own, the nurse must help the patient to sit upright or depending on the
patient's condition nurse needs to assists the patient to sit with head upright or help them to sit
on the chair. The items that are needed to eat need to be kept near the patient. It is necessary
to ask the patient about their choice of foods. It is advised that the nurse needs to check if the
patient can able to swallow the food (Garber 2013). NMC code suggests that a nurse must
allow the patient to have their food at their own pace. There is some patient, needs special
care such as feeding tube for eating. These patients are feed with special attention and care.
Some patients’ are from diverse backgrounds require care and attention. It is often
seen that there are communication gaps between healthcare people and patients speaking in
different language. NMC suggests that every people must be treated with respect, sympathy
and gentleness (The Code 2020). Nurses need to use various sign languages, to avoid the