Question

A client has had extensive surgery on the gastrointestinal tract and has been started on total parenteral nutrition (tpn). the client tells the nurse, "i think i'm going crazy. i feel like i'm starving, and yet that bag is supposed to be feeding me." which is the best response from the nurse?

Answer 1

The client's feeling of hunger despite receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a common phenomenon known as “starvation syndrome.” The nurse should reassure the client that feeling hungry is normal and explain that TPN is meeting their nutritional needs. The nurse should provide support and involve the healthcare team to assess the client's nutritional needs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The client's feeling of hunger despite receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a common phenomenon known as “starvation syndrome.” TPN is a method of providing nutrients directly into the bloodstream of patients who cannot consume food orally. While TPN supplies essential nutrients, it does not provide the act of eating, which can lead to psychological hunger.

The nurse should reassure the client that feeling hungry is normal and explain that TPN is meeting their nutritional needs. The nurse can also offer alternative methods to alleviate the psychological hunger, such as oral hygiene measures, chewing gum, or sucking on ice chips, with the healthcare provider's approval.

It is important for the nurse to provide support and reassurance to the client experiencing starvation syndrome, as it can be distressing. The nurse should also involve the healthcare team to assess the client's nutritional needs and adjust the TPN regimen accordingly.

Answer 2

The nurse should inform the client that underwent surgery on the gastrointestinal tract that it is normal as the body is not yet fully recovered from the operation. Also TPN or Total Parenteral Nutrition supplies the daily nutritional requirement yet does not preserve Gastrointestinal structure and function thus one still would feel hunger.