Nursing Component Task
Nursing procedures & clinical learning

Registered Mental Health Nursing (RMN)

FEEDING A HYPERACTIVE/OVERACTIVE PATIENT

This is the act of meeting the daily nutritional requirement of a hyperactive/overactive patient. The food served should be a balanced/nutrient dense diet since the patient is usually on the run. Although he/she may have good appetite, he/she does not have time to settle and eat even when hungry.

Purpose

  • Maintain right amount of patient’s daily nutritional status
  • Keep patient hydrated
  • Boost the energy level of patient
  • Promote recovery

Equipment

  • Tray containing the following:
  • Food in a plastic bowl/handy foods e.g. bread, drink, biscuits, etc.
  • A plastic bottle/cup of water
  • Plastic spoon
  • Disposable tissue paper

Procedure steps

  • Establish rapport (refer procedure)
  • Explain procedure to the patient
  • Perform hand hygiene and assist patient to do same
  • Prepare patient’s preferred food and drink on a tray and send to the dining hall/appropriate place and encourage patient to eat
  • If patient refuses the food served, encourage and support him/her by giving food in a form that he/she can eat on the run (e.g. biscuit, bread)
  • Repeat step 5 until patient is satisfied
  • Give patient water to drink as and when appropriate
  • Assist patient to perform hand hygiene after feeding
  • Express appreciation to patient and direct him/her to the next activity
  • Clear the tray and perform hand hygiene
  • Document the amount of food taken and any abnormalities observed in the nurses’ notes/patient’s folder

References and further reading

Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.

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