What laboratory test is important to assess for patients on parenteral nutrition besides electrolytes?

What laboratory test is important to assess for patients on parenteral nutrition besides electrolytes?

• A. Hematocrit
• B. Complete blood count
• C. Liver function tests
• D. Blood glucose levels

Answer: (D)

Monitoring blood glucose levels is crucial for patients on parenteral nutrition due to the high carbohydrate content often found in these nutritional solutions. Patients receiving parenteral nutrition may experience fluctuations in blood glucose due to varying rates of carbohydrate metabolism, particularly if the nutrition is not properly adjusted to the individual’s needs. Hyperglycemia can occur if the glucose infusion rate is too high or if the patient has impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes. Regular blood glucose monitoring allows healthcare providers to detect and manage these fluctuations proactively, preventing complications such as hyperglycemic crises. Besides glucose levels, while monitoring hematocrit, complete blood count, and liver function tests can be relevant to patient care, they do not specifically address the immediate metabolic and glycemic concerns associated with parenteral nutrition as directly as blood glucose levels do.

Monitoring blood glucose levels is crucial for patients on parenteral nutrition due to the high carbohydrate content often found in these nutritional solutions. Patients receiving parenteral nutrition may experience fluctuations in blood glucose due to varying rates of carbohydrate metabolism, particularly if the nutrition is not properly adjusted to the individual’s needs.

Hyperglycemia can occur if the glucose infusion rate is too high or if the patient has impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes. Regular blood glucose monitoring allows healthcare providers to detect and manage these fluctuations proactively, preventing complications such as hyperglycemic crises.

Besides glucose levels, while monitoring hematocrit, complete blood count, and liver function tests can be relevant to patient care, they do not specifically address the immediate metabolic and glycemic concerns associated with parenteral nutrition as directly as blood glucose levels do.