Home Nutrition Support questions with correct answers

When evaluating the home environment for a patient receiving parenteral nutrition, which of the following is required? 1: Access to telephone 2: Isolated infusion area 3: Back-up electrical generator 4: Dedicated refrigerator CORRECT ANSWER Patients receiving home parenteral nutrition require a home/cellular telephone or other means of contacting someone outside of the home in the event of a medical emergency. The appropriate health care personnel or emergency center must be contacted as soon as possible. If there is frequent interruption of electrical service, a back-up battery-powered infusion pump may be needed. A back-up electrical generator is not required. While preferred, an isolated infusion area and dedicated refrigerator are not required. However, an area that can be used for supply storage is required. Which of the following are considered the lowest risk candidates for initiation of parenteral nutrition (PN) in the home setting? 1: infants. 2: teenagers. 3: dialysis patients. 4: diabetic patients. CORRECT ANSWER Infants, intravenous drug abusers, patients with diabetes, fluid and electrolyte/acid-base disorders, and those at risk for refeeding syndrome may not be ideal candidates for initiation of PN in the home setting. Patients with these conditions may need more frequent monitoring and clinical assessment than can be managed at home. Teenagers are typically not thought to be at high risk for problems when PN is initiated in the home setting. Following initial certification of par