In patients on parenteral nutrition, fluid and electrolyte imbalances can lead to which serious condition?

In patients on parenteral nutrition, fluid and electrolyte imbalances can lead to which serious condition?

• A. Pulmonary embolism
• B. Cardiac arrhythmias
• C. Acute renal failure
• D. Stroke

Answer: (B)

In patients receiving parenteral nutrition, maintaining the proper balance of fluids and electrolytes is crucial because imbalances can significantly affect cardiac function. A key reason that fluid and electrolyte imbalances can lead to cardiac arrhythmias is because the heart relies on electrolytes such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium to maintain a stable rhythm. When these electrolytes are out of balance, it can disrupt the normal electrical activity of the heart, potentially leading to various forms of arrhythmias. For example, hypokalemia (low potassium levels) can cause changes in the heart's electrical conduction system, increasing the risk of arrhythmias. Conversely, hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) can also produce dangerous arrhythmias. This makes it imperative for healthcare providers to monitor and manage electrolytes carefully in patients on parenteral nutrition to prevent these life-threatening conditions. Other options, while they may be serious health issues, do not directly stem from fluid and electrolyte imbalances in the same way that cardiac arrhythmias do. For instance, pulmonary embolism and stroke are usually related to clotting factors and vascular health, while acute renal failure can occur from diverse causes, not solely electrolyte disturbances. Thus, concerning parenteral nutrition specifically, the risk

In patients receiving parenteral nutrition, maintaining the proper balance of fluids and electrolytes is crucial because imbalances can significantly affect cardiac function. A key reason that fluid and electrolyte imbalances can lead to cardiac arrhythmias is because the heart relies on electrolytes such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium to maintain a stable rhythm.

When these electrolytes are out of balance, it can disrupt the normal electrical activity of the heart, potentially leading to various forms of arrhythmias. For example, hypokalemia (low potassium levels) can cause changes in the heart's electrical conduction system, increasing the risk of arrhythmias. Conversely, hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) can also produce dangerous arrhythmias. This makes it imperative for healthcare providers to monitor and manage electrolytes carefully in patients on parenteral nutrition to prevent these life-threatening conditions.

Other options, while they may be serious health issues, do not directly stem from fluid and electrolyte imbalances in the same way that cardiac arrhythmias do. For instance, pulmonary embolism and stroke are usually related to clotting factors and vascular health, while acute renal failure can occur from diverse causes, not solely electrolyte disturbances. Thus, concerning parenteral nutrition specifically, the risk