Nathan Levi, 88, is admitted to the hospital with severe pneumonia. During his hospitalization he requires intubation and is in a critical care unit. Due to the intubation/breathing assistance Nathan...

Nathan Levi, 88, is admitted to the hospital with severe pneumonia. During his hospitalization he requires intubation and is in a critical care unit. Due to the intubation/breathing assistance Nathan is unable to take food by mouth so he is provided with peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN).

After a week of intensive care, Nathan recovers enough to have the breathing tube removed and begins to eat again. His healthcare provider orders a soft diet for him. The nurse notices that Nathan’s dentures are missing and requests an order for a mechanical soft diet from the healthcare provider instead.

1. While in the ICU why was Nathan given PPN and what is the difference between that and TPN (total parenteral nutrition)?


2. What is the difference between a soft and a mechanical soft diet? Why does Nathan need the mechanical soft diet