A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has AIDS and is malnourished. The client has been receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a therapeutic response to the TPN?
Hgb 10 g/dL
Temperature 38.4° C (101.1 F)
BUN 25 mg/dL
BMI 18.5
The Correct Answer is D
BMI (body mass index) of 18.5: BMI is a measure of body fat based on an individual's weight and height. A BMI of 18.5 is within the normal range and indicates that the client's nutritional status has improved. An increase in BMI suggests successful repletion of body stores and improved overall health.
Hgb (hemoglobin) of 10 g/dL: Hemoglobin level is an indicator of the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. While a hemoglobin level of 10 g/dL is within the normal range for an adult, it does not specifically indicate a therapeutic response to TPN. However, it can be associated with improved nutritional status.
Temperature of 38.4° C (101.1 F): An elevated temperature indicates the presence of a fever, which is not a direct therapeutic response to TPN but may be associated with an underlying infection or inflammation.
BUN (blood urea nitrogen) of 25 mg/dL: BUN is a measure of kidney function and protein metabolism. An elevated BUN may indicate dehydration, impaired kidney function, or increased protein breakdown. It is not a specific therapeutic response to TPN.
While other factors, such as hemoglobin level, temperature, and BUN, can provide additional information about the client's overall health, the most specific indicator of a therapeutic response to TPN in a malnourished client is an improvement in BMI.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
According to some sources, the food that contains the greatest amount of potassium among the four options is one small baked potato, with about 925 mg of potassium per serving1.
The other foods have much lower amounts of potassium: 1 oz of cheddar cheese has about 28 mg, 1 cup of brown rice has about 84 mg, and one medium raw tomato has about 290 mg.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Prealbumin (also known as transthyretin): Prealbumin is a protein synthesized in the liver and has a shorter half-life compared to albumin. It is considered a more sensitive marker for
short-term nutritional changes and can reflect the effectiveness of TPN within a few days.
Prealbumin levels can indicate the response to nutritional interventions and provide a more immediate assessment of nutritional adequacy.
Hemoglobin: Hemoglobin is a measure of the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells and is typically used to assess anemia. While hemoglobin can be affected by nutritional status, it is not a specific marker for the short-term effectiveness of TPN.
Total albumin: Total albumin is a measure of protein status and can be affected by various factors, including inflammation and liver disease. However, it has a longer half-life and slower response to nutritional changes, so it may not be the best indicator for short-term effectiveness.
Transferrin: Transferrin is a protein involved in iron transport and can be used as an indicator of iron status. However, it may not reflect short-term changes in nutritional status and is not specific to TPN effectiveness.
Monitoring prealbumin levels can help determine the short-term effectiveness of TPN and guide adjustments to the nutritional plan.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today