Nokea
A patients health decline necessitates the use of total parenteral nutrition. The patient has questioned the need for insertion of a central venous catheter, expressing a preference for a normal IV. The nurse should know that peripheral administration of high-concentration PN formulas is contraindicated because of the risk for what complication?
- A. Chemical phlebitis
- B. Hyperglycemia
- C. Dumping syndrome
- D. Line sepsis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Formulations with dextrose concentrations of more than 10% should not be administered through peripheral veins because they irritate the intima (innermost walls) of small veins, causing chemical phlebitis. Hyperglycemia and line sepsis are risks with both peripheral and central administration of PN. PN is not associated with dumping syndrome.
You may also like to solve these questions
A nurse is caring for a patient with a nasogastric tube for feeding. During shift assessment, the nurse auscultates a new onset of bilateral lung crackles and notes a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute. The patients oxygen saturation is 89% by pulse oximetry. After ensuring the patients immediate safety, what is the nurses most appropriate action?
- A. Perform chest physiotherapy.
- B. Reduce the height of the patients bed and remove the NG tube.
- C. Liaise with the dietitian to obtain a feeding solution with lower osmolarity.
- D. Report possible signs of aspiration pneumonia to the primary care provider.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The patient should be assessed for further signs of aspiration pneumonia. It is unnecessary to remove the NG tube and chest physiotherapy is not indicated. A different feeding solution will not resolve this complication.
A nurse is preparing to place a patients ordered nasogastric tube. How should the nurse best determine the correct length of the nasogastric tube?
- A. Place distal tip to nose, then ear tip and end of xiphoid process.
- B. Instruct the patient to lie prone and measure tip of nose to umbilical area.
- C. Insert the tube into the patients nose until secretions can be aspirated.
- D. Obtain an order from the physician for the length of tube to insert.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Tube length is traditionally determined by (1) measuring the distance from the tip of the nose to the earlobe and from the earlobe to the xiphoid process, and (2) adding up to 6 inches for NG placement or at least 8 to 10 inches or more for intestinal placement, although studies do not necessarily confirm that this is a reliable technique. The physician would not prescribe a specific length and the umbilicus is not a landmark for this process. Length is not determined by aspirating from the tube.
A patients NG tube has become clogged after the nurse instilled a medication that was insufficiently crushed. The nurse has attempted to aspirate with a large-bore syringe, with no success. What should the nurse do next?
- A. Withdraw the NG tube 3 to 5 cm and reattempt aspiration.
- B. Attach a syringe filled with warm water and attempt an in-and-out motion of instilling and aspirating.
- C. Withdraw the NG tube slightly and attempt to dislodge by flicking the tube with the fingers.
- D. Remove the NG tube promptly and obtain an order for reinsertion from the primary care provider.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a tube is first noted to be clogged, a 30- to 60-mL syringe should be attached to the end of the tube and any contents aspirated and discarded. Then the syringe should be filled with warm water, attached to the tube again, and a back-and-forth motion initiated to help loosen the clog. Removal is not warranted at this early stage and a flicking motion is not recommended. The tube should not be withdrawn, even a few centimeters.
A patient who suffered a stroke had an NG tube inserted to facilitate feeding shortly after admission. The patient has since become comatose and the patients family asks the nurse why the physician is recommending the removal of the patients NG tube and the insertion of a gastrostomy tube. What is the nurses best response?
- A. It eliminates the risk for infection.
- B. Feeds can be infused at a faster rate.
- C. Regurgitation and aspiration are less likely.
- D. It allows caregivers to provide personal hygiene more easily.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gastrostomy is preferred over NG feedings in the patient who is comatose because the gastroesophageal sphincter remains intact, making regurgitation and aspiration less likely than with NG feedings. Both tubes carry a risk for infection; this change in care is not motivated by the possibility of faster infusion or easier personal care.
A nurse is creating a care plan for a patient who is receiving parenteral nutrition. The patients care plan should include nursing actions relevant to what potential complications? Select all that apply.
- A. Dumping syndrome
- B. Clotted or displaced catheter
- C. Pneumothorax
- D. Hyperglycemia
- E. Line sepsis
Correct Answer: B,C,D,E
Rationale: Common complications of PN include a clotted or displaced catheter, pneumothorax, hyperglycemia, and infection from the venous access device (line sepsis). Dumping syndrome applies to enteral nutrition, not PN.