Indirect Calorimetry in the Ventilated Patient- Nutritional requirements are difficult to predict in mechanically ventilated patients, due to their disease processes, inflammatory response, and other variables. However, the development of proper nutrition support and its careful monitoring are vital to optimal patient outcomes. This monitoring requires the expertise of both respiratory therapy and nutritional support teams, and is best accomplished by using indirect calorimetry. Indirect calorimetry (IC) measures oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production as a way of assessing energy expenditure and thus determining nutritional needs. The use of IC is preferred over estimations (predictive equations) whenever measuring patients is feasible. An understanding of the variables and potential confounders involved in IC is critical in assessing and interpreting its results. The three articles that follow examine IC from both respiratory therapy and nutrition support perspectives, offering the clinicians a comprehensive, interdisciplinary view of how the collective expertise of these groups and the ICU teams can use IC to the patient’s greatest advantage. Practice scenarios and a discussion of various IC technologies are also included.
2.0 Free Contact Hours for Respiratory Therapy
This course also offers Free Contact Hours for Registered Dieticians
Expires 11/30/13