# Total Parental Feeding --- **Total parental feeding** or **TPN** is an IV solution given via a central venous access device (CVAD)-PICCI tunneled catheters, other [[central line]]. This is given when patients are unable to take any food by mouth or by [[nutrition|NG tube]], i.e. enterally. The goal of TPN is to provide nutrition to promote maintenance of muscle mass, weight stabilization, and healing of wounds. This is most often used for patient's with [[burns]], fever, major surgery, trauma or hypermetabolic states. TPN is typically 1 to 3 liters given over 24 hours. ## Nursing Considerations Monitor: - I/Os - weight - blood glucose - It's very sugary by design, patient probably on Q8 checks - monitor for hypoglycemia when discontinuing TPN - serum electrolytes - they try to balance the formulas, but it's not always perfect. - [[body fluids|fluid imbalances]] ___