Short Case Study
Elena Hayes is a 64-year-old realtor. She has been admitted to the local medical center six times in the past 3 months with severe pancreatitis. Elena has been experiencing intractable vomiting and intense pain after eating. Her insurance will not cover home nutritional support. She is being transferred to a subacute nursing facility for therapy.
-Upon admission, Elena tells her nurse that she has a lot of fear with regard to nutrition support because she experienced a "vein blowout" at a previous admission. What is the most likely cause of this incident?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A vein blowout is a potential complication of peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN) that is caused by the high osmolarity of the solution. This can damage the vein and cause it to leak or burst, leading to pain and swelling at the site of the infusion. High glucose in total parenteral nutrition (TPN) can cause hyperglycemia, low amino acids in TPN can lead to malnutrition, and low vitamin K in PPN can impair clotting function, but none of these are directly associated with a vein blowout.

Short Case Study Elena Hayes Is a 64-Year-Old Realtor. She Has Been Admitted