Final answer:
Inadequate chromium intake in PN patients can lead to hyperglycemia because chromium is essential for potentiating insulin action. Symptoms like weight loss or tingling in extremities can occur, and careful management of insulin levels is crucial to avoid hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.
Step-by-step explanation:
3: Hyperglycemia One sign observed in PN (Parenteral Nutrition) patients with inadequate chromium intake is hyperglycemia. Chromium is an essential trace element that plays a role in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism by potentiating insulin action. Without sufficient chromium, insulin's effectiveness is reduced, leading to higher blood glucose levels, which is defined as hyperglycemia. This condition can occur in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. In diabetes mellitus, for instance, hyperglycemia is common, and symptoms can include weight loss (in type 1 diabetes) as cells starve for glucose, and tingling or numbness in extremities (in type 2).
When there is defective pancreas function or during insulin therapy, careful monitoring is required to prevent hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Optimal insulin doses are crucial as too much insulin can lead to hypoglycemia, whereas not enough insulin results in hyperglycemia. It's important for patients to be aware of symptoms and work with healthcare professionals to manage their glucose levels effectively.The sign observed in PN patients with inadequate chromium intake is hyperglycemia.