Component Task: Feeding a Helpless Patient and Spoon feeding an Adult Patient

FEEDING A HELPLESS PATIENT

REQUIREMENTS

TRAY ONE

• Small Mackintosh and towel 
• Peg 
• Mouth wash 
• Jug of water 
• Sputum mug 
• Napkin  
• Bowl  
• Soap in a dish
  

TRAY TWO

• Plate/bowl or cup containing food 
• Cutlery set /spoon 
• Jug of water/ fruit juice  
• Cup  
• Flower 
• Napkin
  

COMPONENT TASK 

1. Explain procedure to the patient.
2. Consider the patients like and dislike and disuses menu with him/her to stimulate appetite.
3. Ensure clean atmosphere, clear all bedpans, urinals and vomit bowl on the ward 
4. Put patient in a comfortable position if patient’s condition will allow it. 
5. Put patient in a sitting up position and arranges pillow on the back rest to support him. If bed table is available places it across the bed and uses it as a dinning table before the patient.
6. Places prepared tray on the bed table or patient’s locker.
7. Washes patient’s hands with soap and water and dry with a clean towel.
8. Washes hands before serving meals (NURSE).
9. Places mackintosh and napkin /serviette across the chest to protect bed linen and patient’s dress.
10. Sits at the bed side of patient if convenient to make patient feel relaxed.
11. Cut feed into bite sizes ( e.g. Yam) and feed patient with level spoonful a little at a time.
12. Allow him enough time to chew and swallow
13. Observes the rate at which the patient eats.
14. Co-ordinate the opening of the mouth and introduction of food into the mouth.
15. Places the spoon or fork accurately into the mouth. i.e. not too far back to produce 
gagging.
16. Serve sips of water in between feeding and at the end of the meal to rinse mouth using a spoon or flexible straw
17. Clean or wipe patient mouth and chin during and after the meal when necessary.
18. Serve water, removes used napkin/serviette and clears tray.
19. Congratulate patient for efforts made in eating.
20. Encourage patient to comment on the food served/procedure.
21. Document in the nurses’ notes/ fluid intake and output chart.
22. Make patient comfortable
23. Washes hands with soap and water and dry with lean towel

SPOON FEEDING AN ADULT PATIENT

REQUIREMENTS

TRAY ONE

• Mackintosh and draw sheet
•  Peg
•  Mouth wash 
• Jug of water 
• Sputum mug 
• Napkin  
• Bowl
•  Soap dish
  

TRAY TWO

• Mackintosh and towel 
• Peg 
• Plate/bowl or cup containing food 
• Cutlery set /spoon 
• Jug of water/ fruit juice  
• Cup  
• Flower 
• Napkin
  

COMPONENT TASK

1. Washes hands and prepares meal tray with food, spoon, jug of drinking water, cup 
and napkin.
2. Tell patient she wants to feed him and offers a bedpan if required.
3. Put patient in a comfortable position, washes and dries hands.
4. Give patient a mouth wash.
5. Brings food in a tray to patient’s bedside and protects clothing with napkin.
6. Places herself in a comfortable position and ask patient if prayer is preferred.
7. Take food by spoon in small bits into patient’s mouth.
8. Allows patient time to chew and swallow.
9. Repeats step 7-8 until patient is satisfied.
10. Give water intermittently as required by patient or gives water after feeding.
11. Cleans patient’s lips and gives a mouth wash.
12. Removes napkin and makes patient comfortable.
13. Congratulates patient and discards tray.
14. Washes hands and documents on nurses notes.