Does enteral nutrition require continuity of management: a randomized controlled study.

Objective: To explore a set of enteral nutrition therapy continuity management programs for intensive care unit patients based on the theoretical study of circadian rhythm mechanism.

Methods: The control group followed routine nursing management. Patients in the experimental group were implemented with an enteral nutrition continuity management program, and their eating behavior was adjusted 3 days before the end of tube feeding. Food intake was intermittent at 2, 3, and 4 h on the first day, the second day, and the third day of intervention, respectively, and all patients stopped eating at night. Abdominal distension assessment, appetite assessment, application of gastric motility drugs, and patient satisfaction were compared between the two groups after tube feeding.

Results: Three days after the end of tube feeding, abdominal distention assessment, bowel sound auscultation, and appetite assessment were statistically different (<0.05) between the two groups. There were differences in the first day (15 vs. 6, <0.05), the second day (9 vs. 3, <0.05), and the cumulative number (17 vs. 7, <0.05) of gastrointestinal drugs, but no differences in the third day (2 vs. 1, >0.05). There was a statistical difference in nursing intervention (6.0 vs. 7.0, <0.05) and psychological nursing (6.0 vs. 7.0, <0.05), but no statistical difference in health education, medical environment, and nursing attitude (>0.05).

Conclusion: Enteral nutrition continuity management program has a good preventive effect on the gastrointestinal symptoms of intensive care unit patients after the end of tube feeding.