An infant with short bowel syndrome will be discharged home on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and gastrostomy feedings. What should be included in the discharge teaching?
A) Prepare family for impending death.
B) Teach family signs of central venous catheter infection.
C) Teach family how to calculate caloric needs.
D) Secure TPN and gastrostomy tubing under diaper to lessen risk of dislodgment.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

During TPN therapy, care must be taken to minimize the risk of complications related to the central venous access device, such as catheter infections, occlusions, or accidental removal. This is an important part of family teaching. The prognosis for patients with short bowel syndrome depends in part on the length of residual small intestine. It has improved with advances in TPN. Although parents need to be taught about nutritional needs, the caloric needs and prescribed TPN and rate are the responsibility of the health care team. The tubes should not be placed under the diaper due to risk of infection.

An Infant with Short Bowel Syndrome Will Be Discharged Home