Which action would the nurse take when a client is receiving total parenteral nutrition?

• A. Monitor blood glucose
• B. Maintain sterile technique
• C. Monitor electrolyte balance
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

When a client is receiving total parenteral nutrition, the nurse must manage several critical safety and metabolic factors to prevent serious complications. TPN delivers a high concentration of glucose directly into the bloodstream, so monitoring blood glucose is essential to catch hyperglycemia early and prevent hypoglycemia if there’s an interruption in the infusion. The therapy uses a central line, and any contamination can lead to life-threatening infection, so maintaining sterile technique at all times is a core safety measure. TPN also provides exact amounts of electrolytes and other nutrients, which means electrolyte balance must be closely watched to detect and correct imbalances that can affect cardiac, nervous, and muscular function. Because each of these areas addresses a distinct risk—infection, glycemic instability, and electrolyte disturbances—all of these actions are necessary for safe TPN management.