Deck 32: Parenteral Nutrition

Question 1

The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving PN.As part of therapy, the patient undergoes routine bedside glucose monitoring that reveals which expected outcome?

A)Lower than normal blood glucose to determine adequate tolerance for PN
B)Slightly higher than normal blood glucose to meet increased cellular needs
C)Slightly higher than normal blood glucose to prevent infection or systemic sepsis
D)Normal blood glucose to prevent associated complications

Answer 1

Normal blood glucose to prevent associated complications

Question 2

A 72-year-old patient is admitted to the hospital with a medical diagnosis of intestinal failure.Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care to deliver nutritional needs?

A)Enteral
B)Parenteral
C)A combination of enteral and parenteral
D)Oral

Answer 2

Parenteral

Question 3

The patient has been receiving PN but has not been given lipid emulsion therapy.The nurse notices that the patient is developing dry, scaly skin, his wound is healing more slowly than expected, and he is anemic.Which condition should the nurse anticipate as a potential problem?

A)Excess linoleic acid
B)Omega-6 fatty acid excess
C)Essential fatty acid deficiency
D)Electrolyte instability

Answer 3

Essential fatty acid deficiency

Question 4

The nurse has been caring for a patient who has had a central venous catheter in place.The patient complains of sudden chest pain and difficulty breathing.Which assessment finding warrants immediate intervention by the nurse?

A)Exit site infection
B)Catheter-related sepsis
C)Pneumothorax
D)Hyperglycemia

Question 5

To detect a common untoward effect of interrupting a PN infusion, the nurse should assess the patient for development of which symptom?

A)Fever
B)Chest pain
C)Erythema and induration
D)Shaking and dizziness

Question 6

A patient on PN has gained 4 lbs over a 24-hour period.Given this weight gain, which interpretation by the nurse is most accurate?

A)Increased nutrition from the patient's parenteral infusions
B)Decreased linoleic acid intake
C)Increased fluid loss
D)Fluid retention

Question 7

The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving parenteral nutrition (PN).The nurse realizes that PN is associated with which of the following risks? (Select all that apply.)

A)Decreased mortality
B)Bloodstream infection
C)Pneumothorax
D)Decreased length of stay
E)Liver disease

Question 8

For patients receiving PN, ___________ provide supplemental kilocalories and prevent essential fatty acid deficiencies.

Question 9

The patient will be going home on PN.The patient and his family education will need to perform which of the following care steps? (Select all that apply.)

A)Monitor the patient's weight.
B)Monitor the patient's serum glucose levels.
C)Measure the patient's intake and output.
D)Perform catheter care.
E)Limit the patient's activity.

Question 10

If PN must be discontinued suddenly, hang __________ in water at the same infusion rate to prevent hypoglycemia.

Question 11

The nurse is caring for a patient receiving PN.In planning the patient's care for the day, which nursing assessment is most essential?

A)Electrolyte levels
B)Weight
C)Temperature
D)Condition of insertion site

Question 12

A patient had surgery 1 week ago, has not been eating his meals, and states that he has no appetite.The nurse assesses that the patient has been progressively losing weight.Which intervention has the highest priority?

A)Encouraging the patient to eat
B)Force-feeding the patient
C)Consulting with the nutritional support team
D)Being aware that the patient will come around when hungry

Question 13

During IV administration of fat ( lipid ) emulsions, the patient voices complaints.Which complaint indicates to the nurse that the patient is experiencing a complication associated with the administration?

A)Fever, chills, and malaise
B)Low temperature, chills, and headache
C)Fever, flushing, and muscle relaxation
D)Low temperature, muscle aches, and dyspnea

Question 14

The patient has been ordered to receive parenteral nutrition but will require the nutritional therapy to continue for several months.Which route is most important for the nurse to consider?

A)Second intravenous line
B)Enteral feeding tube
C)Central venous access device
D)Parenteral feeding tube

Question 15

The nurse is managing the care of a patient receiving PN.Which assessment finding indicates potential septicemia?

A)Shakiness and dizziness
B)Chest pain/hypotension
C)Increased thirst
D)Increased temperature

Question 16

Which assessment should a nurse expect to see for a patient receiving PN?

A)Weight gain of 1 to 2 pounds per week
B)Serum calcium level of 10 mEq/L
C)Serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L
D)Serum glucose level of more than 200 mg/100 mL