Parenteral Nutrition & Enteral Feeding Safety

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) delivers concentrated dextrose, amino acids, lipids, and electrolytes directly into the bloodstream via a central line, since its high osmolarity would damage a peripheral vein — never abruptly stop a TPN infusion, since doing so risks rebound hypoglycemia (the body has adjusted to a high glucose load and needs a taper, or at minimum a dextrose-containing fluid, if TPN is interrupted). Blood glucose is monitored regularly during TPN administration given the high glucose content.