The nurse is preparing to administer enteral nutrition to a ...

[RRMR]

The nurse is preparing to administer enteral nutrition to a patient who has had a stroke and who cannot swallow. A family member asks why the patient isn't receiving intravenous nutrition.
 
  What information will the nurse provide to the family member?
  a. Parenteral nutrition carries a higher risk of infection.
  b. Parenteral nutrition does not provide sufficient calories.
  c. Parenteral nutrition increases the risk of aspiration.
  d. Parenteral nutrition is hyperosmolar and increases the risk of dehydration.

Question 2

A patient who has been receiving continuous enteral nutrition has had several large, watery stools. The nurse will contact the provider to discuss which intervention?
 
  a. Administering antidiarrheal medications
  b. Slowing the rate of infusion
  c. Starting total parenteral nutrition
  d. Thickening the nutrition solution

[Joy Chen]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) carries a greater risk of sepsis than enteral nutrition. TPN can provide sufficient calories, and there is no increased risk of aspiration with TPN. TPN does not increase the risk of dehydration.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
The most common cause of diarrhea during a feeding is dumping syndrome as a result of rapid feed infusion. Slowing the feeding is the appropriate initial action. Antidiarrheal medications are not indicated unless slowing the infusion fails. Total parenteral nutrition is not indicated for patients with a functioning gastrointestinal tract. Thickening the solution will increase the solute load and increase the risk for diarrhea.

[RRMR]

Excellent

[Sarahjh]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it