Which response indicates hyperglycemia in a client receiving total parenteral nutrition?

Which response indicates hyperglycemia in a client receiving total parenteral nutrition?

• A. Polyuria
• B. Polydipsia
• C. Paralytic ileus
• D. Respiratory rate of 26 breaths/min

Answer: (A)

When a client on total parenteral nutrition has high blood glucose from the continuous dextrose infusion, the kidneys try to excrete the excess sugar. This leads to osmotic diuresis, causing the person to urinate more than usual. That increased urine output, or polyuria, is the clearest sign of hyperglycemia in this setting. Polydipsia, thirst, can occur as dehydration develops but is not as direct a indicator here. Paralytic ileus is a GI motility issue and not tied to elevated glucose, and a higher respiratory rate is nonspecific and not a reliable marker of hyperglycemia from TPN.

When a client on total parenteral nutrition has high blood glucose from the continuous dextrose infusion, the kidneys try to excrete the excess sugar. This leads to osmotic diuresis, causing the person to urinate more than usual. That increased urine output, or polyuria, is the clearest sign of hyperglycemia in this setting. Polydipsia, thirst, can occur as dehydration develops but is not as direct a indicator here. Paralytic ileus is a GI motility issue and not tied to elevated glucose, and a higher respiratory rate is nonspecific and not a reliable marker of hyperglycemia from TPN.