ATI Fluid Electrolyte and Acid-Base Regulation Related

Review ATI Fluid Electrolyte and Acid-Base Regulation related questions and content

You are caring for a patient with a diagnosis of pancreatitis. The patient was admitted from a homeless shelter and is
a vague historian. The patient appears malnourished and on day 3 of the patients admission total parenteral nutrition
(TPN) has been started. Why would you know to start the infusion of TPN slowly?

  • A. Patients receiving TPN are at risk for hypercalcemia if calories are started too rapidly.
  • B. Malnourished patients receiving parenteral nutrition are at risk for hypophosphatemia if calories are started
    too aggressively.
  • C. Malnourished patients who receive fluids too rapidly are at risk for hypernatremia.
  • D. Patients receiving TPN need a slow initiation of treatment in order to allow digestive enzymes to accumulate
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Malnourished patients receiving parenteral nutrition are at risk for hypophosphatemia if calories are started too aggressively. Patient with pancreatitis may have depleted levels of phosphorus due to malnutrition, and rapid initiation of TPN can further decrease phosphorus levels, leading to hypophosphatemia. This can result in respiratory failure, muscle weakness, and arrhythmias.

Choice A is incorrect because patients receiving TPN are not specifically at risk for hypercalcemia due to rapid initiation of calories. Choice C is incorrect because rapid fluid infusion can lead to hypernatremia, not related to TPN initiation. Choice D is incorrect because the rationale provided for slow initiation is not related to digestive enzymes but rather to prevent hypophosphatemia in malnourished patients.