Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Course

Lesson 1 • Nutritional Assessment Methods

Introduces validated screening tools and anthropometric measures for identifying malnutrition risk. Connects assessment findings to nutrition care planning.

Lesson 2 • Malnutrition Classification and Etiology

Defines malnutrition categories by etiology and severity using consensus diagnostic criteria. Prepares clinicians to document and communicate nutrition diagnoses accurately.

Lesson 3 • Macronutrients and Energy Metabolism

Covers carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism and their kilocalorie contributions. Provides the biochemical basis for calculating patient energy needs.

Lesson 4 • Calculating Nutritional Requirements

Teaches predictive equations and indirect calorimetry for estimating kilocalorie and protein needs. Enables accurate goal-setting before initiating nutrition support.

Lesson 1 • Parenteral Nutrition Indications

Specifies clinical scenarios where the gastrointestinal tract cannot be used safely or effectively. Distinguishes absolute from relative contraindications to enteral feeding.

Lesson 2 • Contraindications and Risk Assessment

Reviews contraindications to each nutrition route and systematic risk-benefit evaluation. Guides safe patient selection and reduces preventable complications.

Lesson 3 • Enteral Nutrition Indications

Defines conditions where a functional gut supports enteral feeding as the preferred route. Reinforces the principle of gut-first nutrition whenever feasible.

Lesson 4 • When Oral Nutrition Is Insufficient

Identifies clinical conditions that compromise voluntary oral intake and trigger nutrition support. Establishes the threshold criteria used to escalate to specialised feeding.

Lesson 1 • Complications of Enteral Access

Identifies mechanical, infectious, and physiological complications associated with enteral devices. Prepares clinicians to recognise, prevent, and manage access-related adverse events.

Lesson 2 • Gastrostomy and Jejunostomy Devices

Examines percutaneous, surgical, and radiologic gastrostomy and jejunostomy options. Guides selection based on feeding duration, patient anatomy, and procedural risk.

Lesson 3 • Placement Verification Methods

Teaches evidence-based methods to confirm tube position before initiating enteral feeds. Emphasises radiographic confirmation as the gold standard for high-risk placements.

Lesson 4 • Nasogastric and Nasoenteric Tubes

Covers tube types, sizes, and bedside insertion techniques for short-term enteral access. Connects device selection to patient anatomy and anticipated feeding duration.

Lesson 1 • Classification of Enteral Formulas

Categorises standard, semi-elemental, elemental, and disease-specific formulas by composition. Provides the framework for evidence-based formula selection across clinical conditions.

Lesson 2 • Initiating and Advancing Enteral Feeds

Provides step-by-step protocols for starting enteral nutrition and advancing to goal rate safely. Reduces underfeeding by applying evidence-based initiation and progression strategies.

Lesson 3 • Medication Administration via Feeding Tubes

Addresses drug-nutrient interactions, tube compatibility, and safe medication delivery through enteral devices. Prevents formula-drug incompatibilities that compromise therapy effectiveness.

Lesson 4 • Specialty Formulas for Disease States

Examines formulas designed for renal, hepatic, pulmonary, diabetic, and immune-modulating needs. Links formula composition to the metabolic demands of specific disease states.

Lesson 1 • Central Venous Access for Parenteral Nutrition

Reviews central venous catheter types, insertion sites, and selection criteria for PN delivery. Connects catheter choice to osmolality tolerance and anticipated therapy duration.

Lesson 2 • Parenteral Nutrition Macronutrient Components

Details dextrose, amino acid, and lipid emulsion components and their roles in PN formulations. Provides the basis for calculating macronutrient contributions to total PN prescriptions.

Lesson 3 • Sterile Compounding and Quality Standards

Explains aseptic technique, cleanroom requirements, and quality assurance for PN preparation. Ensures compliance with sterile compounding standards to prevent contamination-related harm.

Lesson 4 • Micronutrients and Additives in PN

Covers electrolytes, vitamins, trace elements, and insulin added to PN formulations. Addresses compatibility rules and stability considerations for safe admixture preparation.

Lesson 1 • Glycaemic Management in Parenteral Nutrition

Addresses hyperglycaemia risk from dextrose loading and evidence-based insulin management strategies. Establishes target glucose ranges and protocols for insulin adjustment in PN patients.

Lesson 2 • Transitioning and Weaning Parenteral Nutrition

Guides the stepwise transition from PN to enteral or oral nutrition to prevent metabolic complications. Defines criteria for PN discontinuation and safe handoff to oral feeding.

Lesson 3 • Electrolyte Management and Refeeding Syndrome

Identifies refeeding syndrome risk factors and the electrolyte shifts that occur upon nutrition reintroduction. Provides prevention and correction protocols for phosphate, potassium, and magnesium.

Lesson 4 • Writing the Parenteral Nutrition Order

Teaches structured PN order writing including macronutrients, micronutrients, volume, and rate. Reduces prescribing errors through standardised order templates and verification steps.

Lesson 1 • Intestinal and Hepatic Complications

Examines intestinal atrophy from prolonged bowel rest and PN-associated liver disease progression. Guides strategies to preserve gut integrity and minimise hepatic injury during PN therapy.

Lesson 2 • Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections

Covers pathogenesis, prevention bundles, and management of catheter-related bloodstream infections in PN patients. Applies infection control principles to reduce central line-associated infection rates.

Lesson 3 • Metabolic Complications of Parenteral Nutrition

Identifies hyperglycaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, azotaemia, and acid-base disturbances linked to PN. Provides monitoring and dose-adjustment strategies to correct each metabolic complication.

Lesson 4 • Enteral Nutrition Complications

Addresses aspiration, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, and tube-related complications in enteral feeding. Links each complication to modifiable feeding practices and clinical interventions.

Lesson 1 • Home Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition

Prepares clinicians to transition patients to home nutrition support with appropriate training and monitoring. Addresses equipment, caregiver education, and outpatient follow-up for long-term nutrition therapy.

Lesson 2 • Nutrition in Surgical and Oncology Patients

Examines perioperative nutrition optimisation, immunonutrition, and cancer-related cachexia management. Applies enhanced recovery protocols and targeted nutrition to improve surgical outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Ethical and Palliative Nutrition Considerations

Explores ethical frameworks for withholding or withdrawing nutrition support in end-of-life care. Guides clinicians in aligning nutrition decisions with patient values and palliative goals.

Lesson 4 • Nutrition Support in Critical Illness

Covers metabolic stress response, timing of nutrition initiation, and permissive underfeeding in ICU patients. Integrates haemodynamic stability and organ function into nutrition decision-making.