Tag: Nursing care

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.

According to the National Institutes of Health, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes are considered a safe procedure. However, a significant percentage of patients, between 5% and 40%, experience some form of complication.

According to a study published in the journal Nutrients, gastrointestinal complications are the most frequently reported problem in patients receiving home enteral tube feeding, affecting over 77% of patients. A crucial nursing responsibility is identifying which laboratory or clinical values indicate a complication of enteral feeding that needs immediate provider notification.

The definition of a high gastric residual for tube feed has dramatically shifted in recent years, moving away from historical thresholds as low as 100-200 mL to modern guidelines that consider volumes over 500 mL more significant, especially in conjunction with other clinical signs. This change aims to prevent unnecessary feeding interruptions and improve patient nutrition.

According to a 2021 review, a low-fat diet can help manage cholecystitis symptoms by reducing the frequency and intensity of gallbladder contractions. A nurse will recommend a meal that is low in fat, high in fiber, and includes lean proteins to support a patient with cholecystitis.

According to MedlinePlus, a full liquid diet is often prescribed as a transitional step following surgery or for clients with chewing and swallowing difficulties. For a nurse, understanding the specific foods allowed is crucial for patient safety and adequate nutrition. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of appropriate options for clients on this restricted diet.

According to the National Institutes of Health, calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body, with 99% of it stored in the bones and teeth. Therefore, healthcare professionals, including nurses, frequently advise patients on specific dietary choices to boost their intake of this essential mineral for improved health outcomes.

According to various medical guidelines, the rate of Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) infusion is carefully determined to meet individual patient needs. Running a TPN faster than the prescribed rate can lead to dangerous metabolic shifts and serious health complications.

According to research, nutritional deficiencies are common in hospitalized patients, making a therapeutic diet a critical component of treatment. Understanding why is therapeutic diet important in nursing is fundamental for providing holistic and effective patient care that supports healing and prevents complications.

Over 97% of critical care nurses report using gastric residual volume (GRV) measurements to assess feeding tolerance, though modern guidelines often deem this unreliable for routine monitoring. A comprehensive, multifaceted approach is necessary to correctly assess patient tolerance to enteral feeding, involving a combination of daily and weekly checks. These parameters include vital signs, GI function, fluid status, and lab values, which are all vital for ensuring patient safety and effective nutritional support.