What should the LPN/LVN do for a patient receiving partial parenteral nutrition (PPN)?

For a patient receiving partial parenteral nutrition (PPN), obtaining a daily weight is crucial as it helps monitor the patient's nutritional status and fluid balance. Weight changes can indicate whether the patient is gaining or losing fluid, which may be essential for managing their overall health. Weight loss could suggest inadequate nutritional intake or fluid loss that needs to be addressed, while weight gain could indicate fluid overload, which can lead to complications.

In the context of PPN, which is typically used for patients who require additional nutritional support but can still tolerate some oral intake, keeping track of their weight gives a clear indication of how well their nutritional needs are being met and how their body is responding to the PPN.

Monitoring blood sugar levels is important, especially if the patient is on dextrose-containing PPN, but weight monitoring directly reflects the effectiveness of the nutritional support being provided. While administering medications and managing IV fluids are part of the nursing responsibilities, these actions are secondary to ensuring that the patient's nutritional status is stable, which is why weight monitoring is a key focus for patients on PPN.