NO extensions Nutrition & Cancer Patient Scenario: Let’s imagine that you are

NO extensions
Nutrition & Cancer
Patient Scenario: Let’s imagine that you are working at a hospice community outreach center as a clinical nutrition aide and the supervising RD asks you to prepare a preliminary nutrition assessment on a stage 4 colon cancer patient. The patient has experienced severe weight loss (more than 20% weight loss) and is suffering from N/V/D (nausea/vomiting/diarrhea) due to the extensive chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical resection of part of his colon. The nursing notes reveal the patient is unable to tolerate his meals (bland/soft diet). He also has difficulty tolerating clear liquids when taking his medication.

Colon Cancer & Nutrition Considerations
Why does extensive chemotherapy, radiation and colon resection (surgery where part of the diseased colon tissue is removed) often lead to such serious negative nutritional outcomes?
What nutrition therapy options are available to patients with these types of nutrition complications?

Colon Cancer & Nutrition Intervention
Which nutrition therapy method would you suggest for the above patient scenario and why? (specialized oral diet, enteral nutrition, or parenteral nutrition)
What other considerations need to be made before making the nutrition therapy recommendation to the supervising dietitian and Physician? (consider ethical aspects, family wishes, overall medical prognosis etc.).