How to Make a Fluid Half-Nectar Thick

Transcription

1 The Emily Center How to Make Fluid Half-Nectar Thick Procedure/Treatment/Home Care Si usted desea esta información en español, por favor pídasela a su enfermero o doctor. #1166 Name of Child: Date: How to Make a Fluid Half-Nectar Thick Why make fluid thicker? Thick liquids move slower in the mouth, and take longer to swallow. In some cases, think liquids are safer to swallow. Ask your doctor or speech pathologist if a thicker liquid can help your child. You may have been given a Letter of Medical Necessity. Give this letter to doctor to give to your health insurance company. Your child s doctor may also write an order for thickener. p Begin giving your child this thickener right away p Talk to your child s doctor before using this thickener Half - Nectar Thick liquid Use for formula, milk, juice, water, and all other fluids Simply Thick Nectar Gel 1. Put 8 ounces of fluid in a container with a lid 2. Add 1 pack Simply Thick Nectar gel. Squeeze all the gel out of the packet. 4. Shake hard for 30 seconds, until small bubbles are everywhere in the fluid. If you see clumps of gel, shake some more. Do not mix with a spoon or fork. 1 of 5

2 Thicken Up or Thick It thickening powder 1. Put 8 ounces of fluid in a container with a lid 2. Add 1 tablespoon of powder. 4. Shake hard for 10 seconds. 5. Have your child drink it right away. If you wait too long, it will get too thick. Baby Cereal (rice, oatmeal, barley) 1. Put fluid in a container with a lid 2. Add 1 teaspoon of cereal for every ounce of liquid. 4. Shake hard for 10 seconds. 5. Have your child drink it right away. If you wait too long, it will get too thin. How long will my child need thickened fluid? Talk to your doctor or speech pathologist to find out how long your child needs thickened fluids. Over time, how thick the fluid needs to be may change. Some children need thicker fluids only when they are sick, and can take thinner fluids when they get better. Other children may need thickened fluids for a longer time. Now that you ve read this: p Tell your therapist, nurse, doctor, or registered dietitian what you will use to thicken liquids and how you will use it. (Check when done.) If you have any questions or concerns, p call Inpatient Speech Department at p call 2 of 5

3 If you want to know more about child health and illness, visit our library at The Emily Center at Phoenix Children s Hospital 1919 East Thomas Road Phoenix, AZ Disclaimer The information provided at this site is intended to be general information, and is provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended to take the place of examination, treatment, or consultation with a physician. Phoenix Children s Hospital urges you to contact your physician with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Thursday, December 29, 2011 DRAFT to family review #1166 Written by Speech Pathology Department at Phoenix Children s Hospital 3 of 5

4 Name of Health Care Provider: Number: 1166 For office use: Date returned: p db p nb Family Review of Handout The Emily Center How to Make Fluid Half-Nectar Thick Procedure/Treatment/Home Care Si usted desea esta información en español, por favor pídasela a su enfermero o doctor. Health care providers: Please teach families with this handout. Families: Please let us know what you think of this handout. Would you say this handout is hard to read? p Yes p No easy to read? p Yes p No Please circle the parts of the handout that were hard to understand. Would you say this handout is interesting to read? p Yes p No Why or why not? Would you do anything differently after reading this handout? p Yes p No After reading this handout, do you have any questions about the subject? p Yes p No 4 of 5

5 Is there anything you don t like about the drawings? p Yes p No What changes would you make in this handout to make it better or easier to understand? Please return your review of this handout to your nurse or doctor or send it to the address below. Fran London, MS, RN Health Education Specialist The Emily Center flondon@phoenixchildrens.com Phoenix Children s Hospital 1919 East Thomas Road Phoenix, AZ Thank you for helping us! 5 of 5