Tag: Nursing assistant

According to the National Institutes of Health, over 1.2 million temporary nasogastric feeding tubes are inserted annually in the United States, highlighting the critical nature of enteral feeding. A key part of managing this process safely falls to nursing assistants (NAs), and one of the nursing assistant's responsibilities for tube feedings is diligent monitoring and reporting of patient status.

In medical contexts, the acronym GDA can represent multiple distinct terms, leading to confusion for both patients and healthcare professionals. Knowing the context is crucial, as GDA can refer to a specific anatomical structure—the Gastroduodenal Artery—or a job title, such as a General Duty Assistant.

Up to 50% of patients with chronic diseases on long-term treatment are non-compliant with their dietary requirements, highlighting why it is most important for the nursing assistant to be familiar with the special diets provided by the health care facility. This familiarity is a fundamental component of safe, effective patient care and successful recovery.