A patient receiving total parenteral nutrition is to be discharged for home care. As a nurse, you recognize that preventing complications, such as infection, metabolic imbalances, and problems with the catheter, are major concerns that must be included in your discharge plan. So, when conducting the discharge teaching, which of the following will you emphasize?

Explanation

•Prophylactic antibiotics are not generally prescribed for patients with central venous catheters.

•To prevent bacterial contamination, tubings should be changed every 3 days.

•Rise in temperature and unexplained hyperglycemia are symptoms of sepsis.

•The signs of infection are tenderness, redness, and possible drainage on the insertion site.

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