Systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, and nutritional support.

This article reviews the metabolic alterations that occur in SIRS and sepsis and the management of these patients nutritionally. Practical clinical assessment parameters that can be used by the critical care nurse to determine the nutritional and metabolic needs of the patient are presented. Issues related to enteral and parenteral routes of delivery are presented, and a discussion of disease-specific nutritional formulas is included. An understanding of the determination of metabolic and nutrition needs and the provision of adequate support to meet those needs are vital to the care of the hypermetabolic septic patient.