What could hyperglycemia indicate in a non-diabetic older adult being enterally fed?

What could hyperglycemia indicate in a non-diabetic older adult being enterally fed?

• A. Overfeeding
• B. Dehydration
• C. Infection
• D. Kidney failure

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that hyperglycemia in a non-diabetic older adult receiving enteral nutrition often signals excess carbohydrate and overall energy coming in—overfeeding. When the feed provides more glucose than the body can use, especially in older adults who may have some insulin resistance or reduced β-cell function, blood glucose rises. In this scenario, the most direct and common cause is too much energy delivered through the feeding regimen, particularly from carbohydrates. While dehydration, infection, or kidney failure can also raise blood glucose in various circumstances, they are not as directly tied to the act of enteral feeding in a non-diabetic patient as overfeeding is. If hyperglycemia appears after starting or increasing enteral nutrition, it’s prudent to reassess the feeding plan: reduce the caloric load or carbohydrate content, adjust the rate, and closely monitor glucose, adjusting the regimen as needed.

The key idea is that hyperglycemia in a non-diabetic older adult receiving enteral nutrition often signals excess carbohydrate and overall energy coming in—overfeeding. When the feed provides more glucose than the body can use, especially in older adults who may have some insulin resistance or reduced β-cell function, blood glucose rises. In this scenario, the most direct and common cause is too much energy delivered through the feeding regimen, particularly from carbohydrates.

While dehydration, infection, or kidney failure can also raise blood glucose in various circumstances, they are not as directly tied to the act of enteral feeding in a non-diabetic patient as overfeeding is. If hyperglycemia appears after starting or increasing enteral nutrition, it’s prudent to reassess the feeding plan: reduce the caloric load or carbohydrate content, adjust the rate, and closely monitor glucose, adjusting the regimen as needed.