Critical care nursing quarterly
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Optimal recovery of the critically ill elderly patient depends on an adequate nutritional state. Preventing and treating malnutrition is fundamental to the provision of good patient care, yet providing nutritional support to the critically ill elderly is challenging. ⋯ As the critically ill elderly population continues to grow, more specific assessment parameters need to be identified so that the elderly person's response to different nutritional therapies will be understood better. Carefully documented and published case studies will enrich the understanding of nutritional support in this vulnerable group of patients.
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Cognitive impairment is a significant health problem for the critically ill aged and warrants further investigation. Despite the lack of knowledge of all aspects of cognitive impairment, much can be undertaken to improve the care of impaired patients. ⋯ To carry out such assessments, modification of existing tools, such as the MMSE, may be necessary. Only through such assessment, however, is it possible to detect, prevent, or treat changes in cognition, and thereby prevent its sequelae.