Final answer:
Breaking sterile technique during parenteral nutrition puts the patient at risk for sepsis and other serious bloodstream infections. Maintaining aseptic technique is crucial to prevent iatrogenic and nosocomial diseases, especially in patients with weakened immune systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
During parenteral nutrition administration, if a nurse breaks sterile technique, this places the patient at risk of developing a serious complication known as sepsis. Parenteral nutrition requires meticulous aseptic technique to prevent contamination since the nutrients are delivered directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the body's natural infection-defense mechanisms. When contamination occurs due to a breach in sterile technique, it can lead to infections, potentially introducing harmful pathogens into the patient's bloodstream.
Furthermore, such infections are not only limited to sepsis but can include catheter-related bloodstream infections, which can be life-threatening and result in prolonged illness, additional surgical procedures, or even death. These types of infections are a significant concern in medical settings, especially for patients with weakened immune systems who are more susceptible to iatrogenic diseases or nosocomial diseases, which are diseases contracted as the result of medical procedures.
Therefore, maintaining a rigorous aseptic technique is critical during all medical procedures, including parenteral nutrition administration, to prevent the potentially devastating consequences of infection.