Appetite Testing Techniques
Appetite testing techniques
Appetite is a very important indicator of the clinical situation of a patient.
A poor appetite means that the child has a significant infection or a major metabolic abnormality,
such as liver disfunction, indicating the need to be admitted to an inpatient facility.
Moreover, a child with poor appetite is unlikely to take the amount of ready-to-use therapeutic foods given to him or her
as a weekly ration.
The appetite test should be conducted in a separate, quiet area.
Explain to the care taker the purpose of the appetite test and how it will be carried out.
The care taker should wash their hands.
The care taker should sit comfortably with the child on his or her lap,
and should either offer the ready-to-use therapeutic foods from the packet,
or put a small amount on his or her finger, and give it to the child.
The care taker should offer the child the ready-to-use therapeutic food gently,
encouraging the child all the time.
If the child refuses, then the care taker should continue to quietly encourage the child, and take time over the test.
The test usually takes a short time but may take up to 13 minutes.
The child must not be forced to take the ready-to-use therapeutic food.
The child needs to be offered plenty of water to drink from a cup,
as he or she is taking the ready-to-use therapeutic food.
Interpreting the Result of the Appetite Test. Pass. Failed.
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