Understanding Decreased Oral Intake, Poor Oral Intake, and Reduced Food Consumption: This guide covers clinical documentation, medical coding, and healthcare best practices for diagnosing and managing patients with D: Decreased Oral Intake. Learn about related terms, diagnostic criteria, and treatment considerations for improved patient care.
Also known as
Anorexia
Loss of appetite or refusal to eat.
Eating disorders
Conditions characterized by abnormal eating patterns.
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing, which can lead to reduced intake.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is decreased intake due to a mental disorder?
Yes
Specific mental disorder documented?
No
Is it due to a physical condition?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Reduced food/fluid consumption. |
| Difficulty swallowing solids/liquids. |
| Loss of appetite resulting in decreased intake. |
Coding decreased oral intake without documenting the underlying etiology risks inaccurate reimbursement and hinders quality reporting. CDI can query for specifics.
Decreased intake can be a symptom. Coding it as a primary diagnosis without a confirmed underlying cause can lead to claim denials. CDI clarification is crucial.
If malnutrition is present, it may be the more appropriate primary diagnosis. Coding both requires careful documentation linking decreased intake to malnutrition. CDI should review for accuracy.
Q: What are the evidence-based strategies for managing decreased oral intake in elderly patients with dementia?
A: Decreased oral intake in elderly patients with dementia presents a significant challenge, often stemming from cognitive decline, dysphagia, medication side effects, or behavioral issues. Evidence-based management strategies include optimizing the mealtime environment (reducing distractions, providing appropriate assistive devices), offering preferred foods with modified textures, implementing consistent meal schedules, and considering behavioral interventions like hand-over-hand assistance. Pharmacological interventions should be considered cautiously and only when other strategies have been ineffective. Accurate assessment of underlying causes like pain or depression is crucial. Explore how integrating a multidisciplinary approach with dietitians, speech therapists, and occupational therapists can improve patient outcomes. Learn more about specialized dementia care units that offer tailored dietary support.
Q: How can I differentiate between benign causes of poor oral intake and more serious underlying medical conditions in a pediatric patient?
A: Distinguishing between benign, transient causes of poor oral intake like picky eating and more serious medical conditions requires careful evaluation. A thorough history focusing on growth patterns, developmental milestones, and any associated symptoms (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea, fever) is essential. Physical examination should assess for signs of dehydration, oral thrush, or anatomical abnormalities. Consider implementing standardized growth charts and dietary logs to monitor trends. Red flags suggesting a more serious condition include persistent weight loss, failure to thrive, recurrent infections, or specific feeding difficulties like choking or gagging. Explore the diagnostic algorithms for pediatric feeding disorders to aid in decision-making. If concerns persist, consider referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist or feeding specialist for further evaluation.
Patient presents with decreased oral intake, also documented as poor oral intake or reduced food consumption. This diminished appetite and insufficient nutritional intake were noted over the past [duration, e.g., three days, one week]. Assessment reveals [specific findings, e.g., weight loss of 2 kg, dry mucous membranes, fatigue]. Potential contributing factors are being explored, including [list potential causes, e.g., nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, pain, medication side effects, depression, anxiety, social determinants of health]. Current dietary intake is estimated to be [quantify intake, e.g., less than 50% of recommended daily caloric needs, primarily liquids]. This decreased oral intake poses a risk for malnutrition, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances. Plan includes [interventions, e.g., dietary counseling, nutritional supplements, addressing underlying medical conditions, monitoring intake and output, laboratory testing including complete blood count (CBC) and comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), referral to a registered dietitian]. Patient education provided regarding the importance of adequate nutrition and hydration. Follow-up scheduled to assess the effectiveness of interventions and monitor nutritional status. ICD-10 code R63.0 (Anorexia) or other appropriate diagnosis code may be considered based on the underlying etiology. Medical nutrition therapy and supportive care are key components of the treatment plan.