Feeding the Client
🔍 Skill Overview
Assisting a resident with feeding is a fundamental skill that requires patience, dignity preservation, and safety awareness. This procedure demonstrates your ability to help residents meet their nutritional needs while preventing aspiration and maintaining proper infection control. Proper feeding technique is crucial for resident well-being and your certification exam.
🧰 Required Equipment/Supplies
- Clean gloves
- Clothing protector
- Napkins
- Adaptive equipment (if needed)
- Proper diet tray
- Condiments
- Drinking straw
- Call light within reach
- Documentation materials
- Hand wipes/sanitizer
⚡ Key Steps
- Pre-procedure
- Verify resident identity
- Check diet type/restrictions
- Explain procedure
- Position resident upright (45-90 degrees)
- Place clothing protector
- Wash resident’s hands
- Put on gloves
- Describe food items
- During procedure
- Sit at eye level
- Offer small bites
- Allow time to chew/swallow
- Offer fluids frequently
- Observe for difficulty
- Engage in pleasant conversation
- Monitor for fatigue/fullness
- Post-procedure
- Clean resident’s face/hands
- Remove clothing protector
- Record intake
- Document any difficulties
- Position resident comfortably
- Remove tray
- Remove gloves
⚠️ Critical Points
- Proper positioning
- Aspiration prevention
- Correct diet verification
- Appropriate bite size
- Adequate time between bites
- Monitor swallowing
- Report difficulties
✅ Skills Test Tips
- Verify diet restrictions
- Demonstrate patience
- Maintain dignity
- Watch swallowing
- Encourage independence
- Document intake accurately
- Report eating difficulties
- Show proper infection control
📹 Video Demonstration
Watch our detailed video demonstration below to see proper feeding technique in action. This video shows you exactly how to assist residents with eating safely and respectfully for your certification exam.