Final answer:
Patients on lipid-supplemented parenteral nutrition are at risk for fungemia caused by Candida, especially Candida albicans, which can cause various infections in immunocompromised patients.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patients receiving lipid-supplemented parenteral nutrition are at risk for developing fungemia caused by the organism Candida. Candida, particularly Candida albicans, is an ascomycete fungus associated with various infections, including those in immunocompromised individuals. In the context of parenteral nutrition, Candida can contaminate lipid emulsions and has been documented to cause bloodstream infections or fungemia in patients receiving intravenous nutrition. The infections caused by Candida spp. can range from superficial mucocutaneous illness to invasive diseases like bloodstream infections or internal organ infections. Due to the risks associated with Candida infections, clinicians must vigilantly monitor patients on parenteral nutrition for signs of infection and manage them promptly if they present.