What should healthcare practitioners watch for in patients receiving long-term parenteral nutrition?

What should healthcare practitioners watch for in patients receiving long-term parenteral nutrition?

• A. Hypoglycemia
• B. Hyperglycemia
• C. Fluid overload
• D. Protein deficiency

Answer: (B)

In patients receiving long-term parenteral nutrition, healthcare practitioners should monitor for hyperglycemia, which is an elevation in blood glucose levels. This condition can arise due to the high carbohydrate content typical in parenteral nutrition solutions. These solutions often contain glucose as a primary source of calories, which can lead to excessive glucose in the bloodstream if not properly managed. Over time, the body's ability to metabolize glucose can diminish, especially in patients who may have underlying metabolic issues, diabetes, or may be receiving total parenteral nutrition without the necessary adjustments in insulin or other metabolic controls. Monitoring hyperglycemia is crucial because it can lead to several complications, including increased risk of infection, delayed wound healing, and, in severe cases, hyperglycemic crises. This makes close surveillance and appropriate management strategies necessary to maintain blood glucose levels within a safe range, ensuring the patient's overall health and effectiveness of the parenteral nutrition therapy.

In patients receiving long-term parenteral nutrition, healthcare practitioners should monitor for hyperglycemia, which is an elevation in blood glucose levels. This condition can arise due to the high carbohydrate content typical in parenteral nutrition solutions. These solutions often contain glucose as a primary source of calories, which can lead to excessive glucose in the bloodstream if not properly managed. Over time, the body's ability to metabolize glucose can diminish, especially in patients who may have underlying metabolic issues, diabetes, or may be receiving total parenteral nutrition without the necessary adjustments in insulin or other metabolic controls.

Monitoring hyperglycemia is crucial because it can lead to several complications, including increased risk of infection, delayed wound healing, and, in severe cases, hyperglycemic crises. This makes close surveillance and appropriate management strategies necessary to maintain blood glucose levels within a safe range, ensuring the patient's overall health and effectiveness of the parenteral nutrition therapy.