Nursing management of patients who are nil by mouth

Abstract

This article examines how to manage patients who are nil by mouth (NBM) and maintain optimal nutritional status. Pre-operative fasting and other reasons why patients might be NBM, methods of administering nutritional support and nursing considerations, such as mouth care, urine output, intravenous therapy and skin assessment are also discussed. The article provides an insight into the psychological effects on patients who are NBM and emphasises the importance of patient education.