How should a nurse discontinue TPN to prevent complications?

How should a nurse discontinue TPN to prevent complications?

• A. By stopping it abruptly
• B. By slowly weaning the patient off
• C. By replacing it with oral nutrition immediately
• D. By switching to enteral feeding instantly

Answer: (B)

The recommended practice for discontinuing Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) involves gradually weaning the patient off the nutrition. This approach is crucial because abruptly stopping TPN can lead to complications such as rebound hypoglycemia, which occurs when the body is suddenly deprived of glucose that it has been receiving through TPN. Slowly tapering off TPN allows the patient's body to adjust and start metabolizing nutrients through other means, either through enteral nutrition or oral intake, without causing sudden fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Additionally, this method helps ensure that the patient's nutritional needs continue to be met effectively during the transition period and minimizes the risk of any adverse effects as the patient adapts to receiving nutrients through alternative routes. Other options, such as immediately replacing TPN with oral nutrition or transitioning directly to enteral feeding, do not take into consideration the need for a gradual adjustment and may place the patient at risk for metabolic disturbances.

The recommended practice for discontinuing Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) involves gradually weaning the patient off the nutrition. This approach is crucial because abruptly stopping TPN can lead to complications such as rebound hypoglycemia, which occurs when the body is suddenly deprived of glucose that it has been receiving through TPN.

Slowly tapering off TPN allows the patient's body to adjust and start metabolizing nutrients through other means, either through enteral nutrition or oral intake, without causing sudden fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Additionally, this method helps ensure that the patient's nutritional needs continue to be met effectively during the transition period and minimizes the risk of any adverse effects as the patient adapts to receiving nutrients through alternative routes.

Other options, such as immediately replacing TPN with oral nutrition or transitioning directly to enteral feeding, do not take into consideration the need for a gradual adjustment and may place the patient at risk for metabolic disturbances.