Nutrition for a Patient, Case Study Example

Nutrition for a Patient Undergoing Radiation and Chemotherapy

Mr. Allen appears to be a Cancer Patient.  Radiation and Chemotherapy side effects include:

• Loss of appetite: This may be caused by the loss of taste (dygeusia)
• Nusea: caused by discomfort as a continued chemotherapy. This has side effects on the brain. This may cause vomiting.
• Mouth sores: This makes it difficult to swallow, especially if the sores progressed to around the throat or the back of the mouth.
• Constipation: Constipation is difficulty passing stool. It may be accompanied by gas, pain, or pressure in the abdomen. Can be caused by indigestion of food most likely due to brain side-effects.
• Diarrhea: Bowel movements that occur more frequently and are more liquid in consistency than normal. Chemotherapy, radiation, medication in addition to infection may lead to a condition of diarrhea. Diarrhea can also be caused by medications given to prevent nausea or by antibiotics given to treat or prevent infection.

• For the loss of appetite intervene by administering appetite stimulants
• Nausea can possibly be intervened by change drug category to equivalents. It may also suspending treatment temporarily
• Mouth sores may prevent swallowing. Use intravenious methods to administer Oral Rehydration Sugars/Salts (ORS) and other liquids. Also, discontinue solids and semi-solid foods.
• Constipation can be intervened by way of administering ORS and change of drugs
• Diarrhea can be intervened through administering rehydrants such as ORS. Also, change drug categories with equivalents (Licht, et al, 1995).

Most meaningful way to evaluate weight loss

His BMI at the beginning: 27

His BMI at the end: 26

His body weight at the beginning of treatment: 171.5 lbs (77.8 Kg)

His body weight at the end of treatment:  164 lbs (74.4 kg)

The best method is to compare the change in weight that is 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg)

The patient’s nutritional status was ideal because he received an adequate balanced that enabled him to lose some weight to desired levels medically.

Reference

Licht, M.R., et al (1995). Combination radiation and chemotherapy. The Journal of urology, Vol. 153, No. 6.