Question 1

is there a safer alternative for tpn treatment.  my wife is suffering from acute pancreatitis.

Accepted Answer

Discuss with her doc: Treatment for acute pancreatitis is primarily resting the pancreas.  It depends on the severity of the pancreatitis,  but most patients are advised not to eat until symptoms are subsiding and pancreatic enzymes are decreasing.  If she needs to not eat for a long period of time, TPN may be the best way to keep her strength up.  Each patient is different with pancreatitis and nutritional needs.

Question 2

life expectancy esophagus cancer with mets to bones, sick for 6 months and got mets about 2months ago,  63 years old no treatment, can't eat. only tpn?

Accepted Answer

You should consider: Consider taking treatment especially to open up your esophagus so that you can eat and enjoy your life. It is easy to open the esophagus with radiotherapy. This treatment is free from any serious side effects. The medical treatments for this cancer are not useful once it spreads to bones. Most patients live 6-12 months but there are exceptions.

Question 3

what are the complications of  tpn?

Accepted Answer

Numerous. : Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a life-saving tool for patients that are unable to tolerate nutrition via their intestinal tract. Unfortunately, it comes with many potential side effects. Most notably is infection. Tpn is delivered intravenously and thus, the IV catheter is a route for blood stream infection.  Other problems are high blood sugar, fatty liver and imbalances in electrolytes.

Question 4

what is the osmolarity of tpn?

Accepted Answer

Solutes dissolved: Osmolarity in total parenteral nutrition if i am correctly reading your mind refers to a formula result when dextrose is combined with amino acids and ionic salts,the formula being a standard. The reason you need the osmolarity number is to prevent giving above athreshold that predispose to thrombophlebitis or painful swelling of intravenous route or at least minimize that complication.

Question 5

what is the source of the tpn lipids?

Accepted Answer

Usually soy beans: Most lipids in TPN come from soy beans. This is a problem because one component of these lipids can cause liver injury over time. When soy beans are eaten, this component is not absorbed through the GI tract so the liver is never exposed. However, with TPN the liver is exposed because it goes to the blood stream. So, many centers now minimize soy bean based lipids to protect the liver.

Question 6

how to correct co2 with tpn if co2 is low?

Accepted Answer

Acetate anion. : Acetate is usually added to TPN to increase co2 (bicarbonate) provided there is normal liver function.

Question 7

what's the differencence between a tpn, gtube, & a peg?

Accepted Answer

Nutrition: Tpn=total parenteral nutrition.  It's a mixture of vitamins, fats and carbohydrates given in a liquid form intravenously through a large vein of the body to people who are unable to digest food through the stomach.  Both a peg and a gtube administer a liquid form of food directly to the stomach, in those who aren't able to swallow.  A peg is placed by a GI doc while a gtube is placed by a surgeon.

Question 8

what type of insulin is added to a tpn hyperalimentation?

Accepted Answer

Reg human insulin: Regular human Insulin (r) is typically added to TPN or total parenteral nutrition.  Because TPN is given via the vein, human r Insulin that is delivered with the nutrients can immediately be transported throughout the body to have effects.  This is in contrast to the situation when a person injects Insulin into skin. In this case r human Insulin needs at least 30-40 min to start having effects.

Question 9

what type of insulin is usually added to tpn (hyperalimentation)?

Accepted Answer

TPN insulin: Once Insulin is given IV (like tpn) it lasts the same (minutes) no matter what type it is. Usually regular (human r) Insulin is added because it is the cheapest insulin., so why spend more on more expensive Insulin when they all will last for the same timings and have exactly the same effects.

Question 10

for those on  iv tpn--- are patients still  hungry or does appetite get relieved?

Accepted Answer

TPN: Appetite wil not be relieved as satiety is a reflex function of a full stomach.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

What is tpn therapy

A member asked:

Is there a safer alternative for tpn treatment. my wife is suffering from acute pancreatitis.

A member asked:

Life expectancy esophagus cancer with mets to bones, sick for 6 months and got mets about 2months ago, 63 years old no treatment, can't eat. only tpn?

A member asked:

What are the complications of tpn?

A member asked:

What is the osmolarity of tpn?

A member asked:

What is the source of the tpn lipids?

A member asked:

How to correct co2 with tpn if co2 is low?

A member asked:

What's the differencence between a tpn, gtube, & a peg?

A member asked:

What type of insulin is added to a tpn hyperalimentation?

A member asked:

What type of insulin is usually added to tpn (hyperalimentation)?

A member asked:

For those on iv tpn--- are patients still hungry or does appetite get relieved?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?