A nurse is about to replace a nearly depleted container of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for a patient, but discovers a delay in the delivery of the new TPN solution from the pharmacy.
Which solution should the nurse administer until the next TPN solution is available?

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.