Question

A nurse is caring for a client receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). What action should the nurse take if a new TPN bag is not available when the current infusion is nearly completed?

a. Keep the line open with 0.9% sodium chloride until the new bag arrives.
b. Administer dextrose 10% in water until the new bag arrives.
c. Flush the line and cap the port until the new bag arrives.
d. Decrease the infusion rate until the new bag arrives.

Answer 1

The correct action is to administer dextrose 10% in water until a new TPN bag is available, as it provides a temporary glucose source to avoid hypoglycemia.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a nurse is caring for a client receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and a new TPN bag is not available when the current infusion is nearly completed, the appropriate action to take is b. Administer dextrose 10% in water until the new bag arrives. This course of action prevents a sudden drop in blood sugar levels that could occur if the TPN were to run out. The TPN solution typically contains a high concentration of glucose, and stopping it abruptly could lead to hypoglycemia. Using a solution like 10% dextrose in water can provide a temporary source of glucose until the new TPN bag is ready for administration. It is important to note that the other options, such as keeping the line open with 0.9% sodium chloride or decreasing the infusion rate, do not provide the necessary glucose and therefore are not appropriate. Flushing the line and capping it would halt the provision of essential nutrients and likewise is not a suitable option.