To ensure safety, how frequently should blood glucose levels be monitored in patients on parenteral nutrition?

To ensure safety, how frequently should blood glucose levels be monitored in patients on parenteral nutrition?

• A. Every hour
• B. Every day
• C. Weekly
• D. Every other day

Answer: (B)

Monitoring blood glucose levels in patients on parenteral nutrition is crucial for ensuring their safety and preventing complications such as hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Parenteral nutrition can significantly impact metabolism, and these patients are often at risk for fluctuations in their blood glucose levels due to the high concentration of carbohydrates present in the nutritional solution. Daily monitoring is an appropriate frequency because it allows healthcare providers to quickly identify and address any imbalances in blood glucose levels, particularly during the initiation of nutrition therapy. Patients receiving parenteral nutrition may require adjustments to their insulin regimen or changes in the parenteral solution based on their blood glucose readings, which can help prevent acute complications associated with incorrect glucose levels. Monitoring blood glucose levels every other day or weekly would not provide sufficient data to effectively manage and respond to the patient’s metabolic needs, whereas hourly monitoring might be excessive for stable patients on parenteral nutrition without acute fluctuations. Therefore, daily monitoring strikes a balance between thorough oversight and practicality.

Monitoring blood glucose levels in patients on parenteral nutrition is crucial for ensuring their safety and preventing complications such as hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Parenteral nutrition can significantly impact metabolism, and these patients are often at risk for fluctuations in their blood glucose levels due to the high concentration of carbohydrates present in the nutritional solution.

Daily monitoring is an appropriate frequency because it allows healthcare providers to quickly identify and address any imbalances in blood glucose levels, particularly during the initiation of nutrition therapy. Patients receiving parenteral nutrition may require adjustments to their insulin regimen or changes in the parenteral solution based on their blood glucose readings, which can help prevent acute complications associated with incorrect glucose levels.

Monitoring blood glucose levels every other day or weekly would not provide sufficient data to effectively manage and respond to the patient’s metabolic needs, whereas hourly monitoring might be excessive for stable patients on parenteral nutrition without acute fluctuations. Therefore, daily monitoring strikes a balance between thorough oversight and practicality.