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TPN, or total parenteral nutrition, is a form of IV nutrition. Parenteral means it enters the body through a vein. It is formulated to fit the patients specific needs. TPN can be started on an outpatient basis. Typically, home health care nurses come out weekly to change the dressing around the catheter and draw blood to ensure that the TPN is properly formulated1. There are many types of catheters inserted for TPN including PICC lines2, Hickman's3, Groshong Catheters4, Subclavians5, and Mediports6. All of these end up in the central vein. They are just inserted in different locations and are different types of catheters. For example, the PICC line goes into the arm, and the Hickman goes into the chest. The most serious complication from parenteral nutrition is an infection which can lead to sepsis. It is vital to maintain sterility to prevent this. If not monitored closely enough, TPN can also cause liver damage. However, it is a solution for people who need to gain weight and receive more adequate nutrition, especially if they cannot tolerate nutrition through a feeding tube1. 1. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec01/ch003/ch003c.html 2. http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/QAs/569 3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hickman_line 4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groshong_line 5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_venous_catheter 6. http://www.roswellpark.org/Patient_Care/Types_of_Cancer/Esophageal/ Esophageal_Center_Patient_Handbook/Procedures/Mediport
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