Eating On the Machine: Recipe for Trouble What can teammates do to prevent problems? What’s the big deal anyway? Allowing patients to eat during dialysis can cause many problems, both medical and environmental. Eating on the machine is a privilege that we allow the patients, not a right. If a patient displays any of the following problems or symptoms, it is appropriate to tell him/her that food should not be consumed during treatment. • Coughing or choking •Hypotension (low blood pressure) •Diarrhea •Vomiting •Nausea •Lethargic/Sleepy Appearance •Altered Level of Consciousness •Known Tubefeeding or TPN
What foods are better choices for snacks during dialysis? Nutrition Drinks (e.g. Nepro, NutriRenal) Apples, grapes, peaches, pears, or plums
Possible Complications and Problems of Eating During Dialysis
Canned fruit (except oranges)
•Postprandial hypotension (low blood pressure after eating)
Unsalted pretzels or popcorn
•Choking & Aspiration
Celery, carrot sticks, or sliced cucumbers Bagel with cream cheese Graham crackers or vanilla wafers Angel Food Cake Sandwich (no tomato!)
•Infection •Consumption of inappropriate foods without •Gnats and ants in the unit due to food crumbs