A theoretical protocol for nutritional maintenance in head-injured patients.

Multiple trauma increases the nutritional needs of patients. Although head-injury victims present special problems, the modality of enteral nutritional offers specific advantages which avoid the complications of malnutrition. The success of enteral nutritional therapy is dependent on knowledgeable nursing assessment and intervention. Certainly, it is a therapeutic maneuver that should be considered in the care of the head-injured, multi-trauma patient.