Final answer:
Parenteral nutrition provides vital nutrients when oral intake is not possible or adequate, often due to medical conditions, surgeries, or severe gastrointestinal disorders. It is a critical intervention in cases of severe malnutrition or digestive system impairment, but not routinely used for dietary management post-surgery or for managing macronutrient intake.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purposes of parenteral nutrition are primarily to address issues related to undernutrition and to ensure that an individual's nutritional needs are met when they are unable to consume food by mouth. This can be due to various medical conditions, surgeries, or other treatments that impair the normal process of eating and digestion. Here are the correct purposes of parenteral nutrition:
- To provide nutrients when foods cannot be consumed by mouth, such as in the case of comatose patients or those with severe gastrointestinal disorders.
- To provide nutrients when needs cannot be met through oral intake, which could be due to a variety of health issues including certain chronic diseases or malabsorption disorders.
It is important to note that parenteral nutrition is not typically used for purposes such as to facilitate adherence to reduced-calorie eating plans, provide calories during recovery from lap band or other bariatric surgical procedures, or to promote reducing the intake of fats and carbohydrates, as it is a specialized medical intervention used for severe nutritional deficiencies or impairment in gastrointestinal function.