Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving TPN. A new bag is not available when the current infusion is nearly completed. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A) Discontinue the TPN infusion.
B) Administer a normal saline infusion.
C) Leave the IV line open until a new bag arrives.
D) Increase the infusion rate to finish quickly.

Answer 1

When a new bag of TPN is not available, a nurse should administer a normal saline infusion to provide hydration until the new bag arrives.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse is caring for a client receiving Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) and a new bag is not available when the current infusion is nearly completed, the nurse should not discontinue the infusion abruptly. Instead, the nurse should administer a normal saline infusion to provide hydration until the new bag arrives.

Administering a normal saline infusion helps prevent hypovolemia and maintains the client's fluid balance while waiting for a new bag of TPN. This solution does not contain nutrients like TPN, but it does provide hydration.

Increasing the infusion rate to finish quickly can lead to complications, such as fluid overload or electrolyte imbalances, so it is not the appropriate action. Leaving the IV line open is also not a suitable option as it would leave the client without any fluid intake.