Julia Reynolds is a 64-year-old realtor. She has been admitted to the local medical center 6 times in the past 3 months with severe pancreatitis. Julia has been experiencing intractable vomiting and intense pain after eating. Her insurance will not cover home nutritional support. She is being transferred to a sub-acute nursing facility for therapy. Laboratory values indicate that Julia's blood glucose is extremely high. Which nutrient component of her TPN must be adjusted?

Question

Julia Reynolds is a 64-year-old realtor. She has been admitted to the local medical center 6 times in the past 3 months with severe pancreatitis. Julia has been experiencing intractable vomiting and intense pain after eating. Her insurance will not cover home nutritional support. She is being transferred to a sub-acute nursing facility for therapy. Laboratory values indicate that Julia's  blood glucose is extremely high. Which nutrient component of her TPN must be adjusted?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

TPN stands for Total Parenteral Nutrition, which is a form of nutrient support given intravenously to patients who cannot eat. It typically contains a mixture of dextrose, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes. In this case, Julia's extremely high blood glucose suggests that the dextrose component of her TPN needs to be adjusted. Dextrose is a type of sugar that provides energy to the body, but too much of it can lead to elevated blood glucose levels. By adjusting the dextrose concentration in Julia's TPN, the healthcare team can help to control her blood glucose levels and prevent further complications from hyperglycemia.

Julia Reynolds Is a 64-Year-Old Realtor