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Techniques and Procedures: Guidelines for Managing Electrolytes in Total Parenteral Nutrition Solutions
Author(s) -
Schmidt Gerald L.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
nutrition in clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1941-2452
pISSN - 0884-5336
DOI - 10.1177/088453360001500208
Subject(s) - medicine , electrolyte , workload , parenteral nutrition , dosing , feeling , intensive care medicine , serum electrolytes , process (computing) , computer science , psychology , social psychology , chemistry , electrode , operating system
To many practitioners, managing electrolytes in total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions has been considered an art rather than a science. Electrolytes are typically taught by gut feeling rather than by a structured approach. Consequently, most practitioners manage electrolytes differently, with varying degrees of success. Inconsistent prescribing often results in over‐ or undercorrection, with consequential adverse events and/or increased workload. These inconsistencies led my organization to develop dosing guidelines for the management of electrolytes in parenteral nutrition solutions. The guidelines are based on the literature and our clinical experience. They are designed specifically to teach a standardized process for making electrolyte adjustments. They were also designed to give a better idea of the amounts of electrolytes needed and the expected corresponding change in serum levels. Since implementing the guidelines, we have noticed an improvement in electrolyte management.