A nurse is preparing to instill 840 mL of enteral nutrition via a patient’s gastrostomy tube over 24 hours using an infusion pump.

How many mL/hr should the nurse set the infusion pump to deliver?

Choice A rationale

0.9% sodium chloride, also known as normal saline, is an isotonic solution that is commonly used for hydration and to replace lost fluids. However, it does not provide any calories or nutrients, which are necessary for patients receiving TPN1.

Choice B rationale

Dextrose 10% in water (D10W) is the recommended solution to administer until the next TPN solution is available. This is a hypertonic fluid that provides dextrose to the patient, helping to maintain their blood glucose levels and reducing the risk of hypoglycemia.

Choice C rationale

3% sodium chloride is a hypertonic saline solution that is typically used to treat patients with severe hyponatremia (low sodium levels). It is not suitable as a replacement for TPN as it does not provide the necessary nutrients and can lead to hypernatremia (high sodium levels) if used inappropriately.

Choice D rationale

Lactated Ringer’s solution is an isotonic solution that is commonly used for fluid resuscitation in patients with significant fluid loss. While it does contain multiple electrolytes that mimic those found in plasma, it does not provide any calories or nutrients, making it unsuitable as a replacement for TPN1.

Choice A rationale

Fresh vegetables are generally not considered bladder irritants. They are part of a healthy diet and do not typically cause bladder irritation.

Choice B rationale

Red meat is not typically associated with bladder irritation. While some individuals may have specific dietary sensitivities, red meat is not commonly known to irritate the bladder.

Choice C rationale

Dairy products are not typically associated with bladder irritation. However, some individuals may have lactose intolerance or other specific sensitivities to dairy products.

Choice D rationale

Caffeinated beverages can irritate the bladder. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it can increase urine production and potentially lead to bladder irritation.