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5.22: Skills Checklist- Preparing Clients for Meals and Assisting With Feeding

  • Page ID
    70350
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    1. Gather Supplies: Clothing protector, meal, diet card, eating utensils, sanitizer or soapy and wet washcloths
    2. Routine Pre-Procedure Steps:
      • Knock on the resident’s door unless they are in the dining room.
      • Perform hand hygiene.
      • Maintain respectful, courteous, and professional communication at all times.
      • Introduce yourself and identify the resident.
      • Explain the procedure to the resident.
    3. Procedure Steps:
      • Verify the name on the diet card matches the resident.
      • Verify the diet, diet texture, and liquid consistency matches the diet card.
      • Position the resident in an upright position, at least 45 degrees.
      • Place a clothing protector on the resident if desired (e.g., a paper or cloth towel or a large napkin).
      • Ask the resident if they would like oral care before eating.
      • Assist the resident to clean their hands before feeding using sanitizer or soapy and wet washcloths.
      • Position yourself at eye level facing the resident.
      • Describe the foods and fluids being offered to the resident.
      • Offer small amounts of food at a reasonable rate.
      • Offer fluids frequently.
      • Allow the resident time to chew and swallow.
      • Wipe the resident’s face whenever necessary.
      • Continue to alternate foods and fluids until the resident indicates they are full.
      • Clean the resident’s face and hands.
      • Ask the resident if they would like oral care.
      • Leave the resident with their head elevated at least 30 degrees.

    4. Post-Procedure Steps:

      • Perform hand hygiene.
      • Record the intake as a percentage of total solid food eaten.
      • Record the sum of estimated fluid intakes in mL or cc.
      • Check for resident comfort and ask if anything else is needed.
      • If in the resident’s room, ensure the bed is low and locked. Check the brakes.
      • Place the call light or signaling device within reach of the resident.
      • Open the door and privacy curtain.
      • Perform hand hygiene.
      • Document and report any feeding issues or changes noted with the resident.

    View a YouTube video[1] of an instructor demonstrating preparing clients for meals and assistance with feeding:

     


    1. Chippewa Valley Technical College. (2022, December 3). Preparing Clients for Meals and Assistance With Feeding. [Video]. YouTube. Video licensed under CC BY 4.0. https://youtu.be/Yt3EelUdy60

    This page titled 5.22: Skills Checklist- Preparing Clients for Meals and Assisting With Feeding is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Myra Sandquist Reuter via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.