What nursing diagnosis is the most important for the nurse to include in the care plan of a client who has just been started on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) therapy?

Question

1. Risk for Infection
2. Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements
3. Activity Intolerance
4. Fluid Volume Deficit

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: TPN is delivered via a venous catheter and is very high in glucose. There is a very high risk for infection.
Rationale 2: The client already has imbalanced nutrition, so while that nursing diagnosis would be included, it is not as important as the risk for infection. The TPN therapy is already addressing the imbalanced nutrition.
Rationale 3: The client may have an activity intolerance, but the risk for infection takes priority as it can cause greater physical harm to the client.
Rationale 4: The client is now at more risk of fluid volume overload from the additional TPN fluid.