TPN Exam Questions and Answers Latest Update 2025-2026
What is the primary purpose of TPN? - Answers - To meet the patient's nutritional needs
- To allow growth of new body tissue (protein)
What materials are used to administer TPN? - Answers A central line, such as a tunneled triple
lumen catheter or a
single- or double-lumen peripherally inserted central (PICC) line
TPN contains complete nutrition, this includes... - Answers - Calories (in a high concentration
[20% to 50%] of
dextrose)
- Lipids/essential fatty acids
- Protein
- Electrolytes
- Vitamins
- Trace elements.
TPN standard IV bolus therapy is typically less than or equal to _____ calories/day. - Answers
700
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a _______ , __ ______ solution. - Answers - Hypertonic
- IV Bolus
What are some reasons for administering parenteral nutrition? - Answers - Client's GI tract does
not function
- Client cannot consume sufficient nutrients via GI tract
Partial Parenteral Nutrition (PPN) is:
Hypertonic or Isotonic? - Answers Isotonic
Partial Parenteral Nutrition (PPN) is:
Intended for long or short term use? - Answers Short-Term
Partial Parenteral Nutrition (PPN) is:
Administered into a large or small peripheral vein? - Answers Large
, Potential indications for TPN include any condition that:
(name two) - Answers - Affects the ability to absorb nutrition.
- Has a prolonged recovery.
- Creates a hypermetabolic state.
- Creates a chronic malnutrition.
There are two basic guidelines regarding when to initiate TPN. What are they? - Answers - A
weight loss of 7% body weight and NPO for 5 days or more
- A hypermetabolic state
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a new prescription for total parenteral nutrition
(TPN). Which of the following interventions should be included in the plan of care? (Select all
that apply.)
A. Obtain a capillary blood glucose four times daily.
B. Administer prescribed medications through a secondary port on the TPN IV tubing.
C. Monitor vital signs three times during the 12-hr shift.
D. Change the TPN IV tubing every 24 hr.
E. Ensure a daily aPTT is obtained. - Answers A. CORRECT: The client is at risk for
hyperglycemia during the administration of TPN and may require supplemental insulin.
C. CORRECT: Vital signs are recommended every 4 to 8 hr to assess for fluid volume excess
and infection.
D. CORRECT: It is recommended to change the IV tubing that is used to administer TPN every
24 hr.
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving TPN solution. It has been 24 hr since the current
bag of solution was hung, and 400 mL remains to infuse. Which of the following is the
appropriate action for the nurse to take?
A. Remove the current bag and hang a new bag.
What is the primary purpose of TPN? - Answers - To meet the patient's nutritional needs
- To allow growth of new body tissue (protein)
What materials are used to administer TPN? - Answers A central line, such as a tunneled triple
lumen catheter or a
single- or double-lumen peripherally inserted central (PICC) line
TPN contains complete nutrition, this includes... - Answers - Calories (in a high concentration
[20% to 50%] of
dextrose)
- Lipids/essential fatty acids
- Protein
- Electrolytes
- Vitamins
- Trace elements.
TPN standard IV bolus therapy is typically less than or equal to _____ calories/day. - Answers
700
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a _______ , __ ______ solution. - Answers - Hypertonic
- IV Bolus
What are some reasons for administering parenteral nutrition? - Answers - Client's GI tract does
not function
- Client cannot consume sufficient nutrients via GI tract
Partial Parenteral Nutrition (PPN) is:
Hypertonic or Isotonic? - Answers Isotonic
Partial Parenteral Nutrition (PPN) is:
Intended for long or short term use? - Answers Short-Term
Partial Parenteral Nutrition (PPN) is:
Administered into a large or small peripheral vein? - Answers Large
, Potential indications for TPN include any condition that:
(name two) - Answers - Affects the ability to absorb nutrition.
- Has a prolonged recovery.
- Creates a hypermetabolic state.
- Creates a chronic malnutrition.
There are two basic guidelines regarding when to initiate TPN. What are they? - Answers - A
weight loss of 7% body weight and NPO for 5 days or more
- A hypermetabolic state
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a new prescription for total parenteral nutrition
(TPN). Which of the following interventions should be included in the plan of care? (Select all
that apply.)
A. Obtain a capillary blood glucose four times daily.
B. Administer prescribed medications through a secondary port on the TPN IV tubing.
C. Monitor vital signs three times during the 12-hr shift.
D. Change the TPN IV tubing every 24 hr.
E. Ensure a daily aPTT is obtained. - Answers A. CORRECT: The client is at risk for
hyperglycemia during the administration of TPN and may require supplemental insulin.
C. CORRECT: Vital signs are recommended every 4 to 8 hr to assess for fluid volume excess
and infection.
D. CORRECT: It is recommended to change the IV tubing that is used to administer TPN every
24 hr.
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving TPN solution. It has been 24 hr since the current
bag of solution was hung, and 400 mL remains to infuse. Which of the following is the
appropriate action for the nurse to take?
A. Remove the current bag and hang a new bag.
