Parenteral nutrition (PN) is the administration of nutrients to a patient via the intravenous route. The reason for using PN is to treat malnourishment when oral nutrition or enteral nutrition is impossible. Parenteral nutritional support is also used when nutrition via the two routes is inadequate. Its aims are to maintain or improve the patient’s nutritional status, achieve water-electrolyte balance, and ensure quality living.
Indications
- When oral nutrition and EN administration is not possible due to gastrointestinal dysfunction.
- Inaccessible gut due to anatomical or structural abnormalities.
- When feeding via tubes is risky or ineffective due to intractable vomiting.
- When a patient suffers from special conditions, such as liver cirrhosis, GI fistulas, and eating disorders, among others.