Nutritional needs and support of mechanically ventilated patients.

Malnutrition is common in patients who are mechanically ventilated. Poor nutritional status contributes to impaired respiratory muscle function, lung structure, ventilatory response, and resistance to infection. By detecting malnutrition in its early stages, carefully calculating energy needs, determining appropriate nutrition support, and avoiding nutrition support complications, medical-surgical nurses can provide effective nutrition care to mechanically ventilated patients. Improved nutritional status is associated with better pulmonary function and greater ease in weaning from mechanical ventilation.