A patient has a parenteral nutrition infusion of 25% dextrose. A student nurse asks the nurse why a peripherally inserted central catheter was inserted. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

Question

a. "There is a decreased risk for infection when 25% dextrose is infused through a central line."
b. "The prescribed infusion can be given much more rapidly when the patient has a central line."
c. "The 25% dextrose is hypertonic and will be more rapidly diluted when given through a central line."
d. "The required blood glucose monitoring is more accurate when samples are obtained from a central line."

Answer 1

ANS: C
The 25% dextrose solution is hypertonic. Shrinkage of red blood cells can occur when solutions with dextrose concentrations greater than 10% are administered IV. Blood glucose testing is not more accurate when samples are obtained from a central line. The infection risk is higher with a central catheter than with peripheral IV lines. Hypertonic or concentrated IV solutions are not given rapidly.