The Purpose: Which reason would the nurse identify as the purpose for using a central venous access device to administer total parenteral nutrition?
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3 min read
Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) solutions are highly concentrated, with osmolarity values often exceeding 1500 mOsm/L, far above the typical limit for peripheral vein infusions. For this reason, a nurse would identify the need for rapid blood dilution as the primary purpose for using a central venous access device (CVAD). Administering this nutrient-rich, hypertonic solution into a peripheral, smaller vein would cause significant irritation, a condition known as phlebitis, and could lead to severe vein damage or thrombosis.