More Flashcards
- Which of the following is a conditionally essential amino acid?
a. Phenylalanine
b. Threonine
c. Tyrosine
d. Tryptophan
Answer: c. Tyrosine
Phenylalanine, threonine, and tryptophan are all essential amino acids.
Tyrosine is made from phenylalanine and is conditionally-essential in its absence.
- Which SCFA (short-chain fatty acids) has the most significant impact on colonic
a. Acetate
b. Butyrate
c. Glutamate
d. Propionate
Butyrate is the most important SCFA in regulation and maintenance of colonic tissue. Addition of butyrate has been shown to prevent PN-associated mucosal atrophy and improve epithelial surface proliferation.
Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by the fermentation of dietary fiber in the colon.
Other SCFAs include acetate and propionate, but butyrate is the most important for colon health.
Butyrate enemas are sometimes used in inflammatory bowel disease (not common, but might appear in clinical references)
In which population are use of immune-modulating enteral formulas recommended?
a. Postoperative surgical patients
b. Severe trauma
c. Medical ICU patients
d. ARDS and ALI (acute liver injury)
Answer: a. Postoperative surgical patients
Immune-modulating formulas are recommended for routine use in the surgical ICU postoperative patients requiring EN.
They should not be routinely used in the medical ICU and no current recommendations exist to support use in ARDS or severe trauma and TBI.
What is the max recommended amount of lipid in IV lipid emulsion in PN?
a. 1.0 g/kg/day
b. 1.5 g/kg/day
c. 2.0 g/kg/day
d. 2.5 g/kg/day
Answer: d. 2.5 g/kg/day
Some data supports providing < 1.0 g/kg/day lipids in critically ill patients, but the max recommended IVLE in PN is 2.5 g/kg/day.
Which amino acid is the primary fuel for intestinal cells?
a. Arginine
b. Cysteine
c. Glutamine
d. Homocysteine
C glutamine
- Within how many hours of abdominal surgery can early EN initiation be tolerated?
a. 4
b. 6
c. 12
d. 24
6 hours
Full return of small bowel function should be achieved within 24 hours and return of function for stomach and large intestine can range 48-72 hours.
However, ASPEN recommends early EN within 6 hours to stimulate the bowel and prevent mucosal atrophy.
Which electrolyte is critical to glucose and vitamin transport?
a. Sodium
b. Phosphorus
c. Magnesium
d. Calcium
Sodium
Glucose and water-soluble vitamins require Na transporters for absorption.
Sodium-dependent glucose transporters are involved in the active ATP-dependent absorption of glucose from the intestinal lumen.
What is the minimum amount of carbohydrates needed to prevent ketosis
50 grams
- A patient with a J-tube requires a non-formulary product available in resealable 8 oz bottles that must be transferred to a feeding bag for infusion. What is the maximum safe duration for the feeding to hang?
a. No more than 4 hours
b. 4- 8 hours
c. 8 - 12 hours
d. 24 hour
Answer: b. 4-8 hours
This is an open system = 8 hrs
Human breast milk and reconstituted formula have a max hang time of 4 hours.
Open system EN has a max hang time of 8 hours.
Closed system EN has a max hang time of 24-48 hours.
- In critically ill patients receiving enteral nutrition, what situation is most frequently linked with the use of semi-elemental feeds?
a. Inefficacy of standard TF formula
b. Impaired digestion and absorption
c. Need for immune-enhancing formulas
d. Management of hyperkalemia and hyperphosphatemia in CKD patients
B impaired digestion and absorption
- Which of the following strongly indicates the need for parenteral nutrition (PN)?
a. High output fistula
b. Crohn’s disease
c. Pancreatitis
d. Hyperemesis gravidarum
Answer: a. High output fistula
EN is safe and recommended as preferred line of therapy for Crohn’s pancreatitis, and hyperemesis patients requiring nutrition support.
PN is appropriate following failed EN trials in these patient populations.
EN may be appropriate in low output fistulas, but high output fistulas require bowel rest and PN to allow healing.
Which of the following interventions is NOT appropriate for PN-associated cholestasis?
a. Remove copper and manganese
b. Decrease total nonprotein kcal
c. Decrease only lipid kcal in TPN
d. Initiate trophic EN as able
Answer: c. Decrease only lipid kcal in TPN
The most effective treatment for PN-associated cholestasis is initiation of EN support as able to stimulate CCK. Removal of copper and manganese may be indicated in impaired hepatic function, as these trace elements rely on the hepatobiliary system for elimination. It is recommended to avoid overfeeding of total kcal from all macros, not just lipid.
- In which of the following situations is a UUN measurement useful for assessing protein provision?
a. High output fistulas
b. SLEDD patient
c. Polytrauma with frequent trips to the OR
d. TBI patient unable to maintain weight
Answer: d. TBI patient unable to maintain weight
Accuracy of UUN measurement is affected by renal dysfunction, errors estimating intake, and incomplete urine, stool, fistula, or ostomy collection.
Fistulas, wounds, and dialysis all contribute to excess protein losses and are often difficult to estimate.
Following a trauma patient in the surgical ICU who was initially started on standard high-protein formula due to increased needs, the patient develops AKI with hyperkalemia (K+ 5.9). Given Kayexalate, calcium gluconate, and D50 with insulin, what intervention would be appropriate?
a. Hold TF until patient starts dialysis
b. Continue high protein formula and observe for initiation of dialysis
c. Change to semi-elemental formula
d. Change to renal formula
Answer: d. Change to renal formula
TF may need to be held until K+ declines, but may not necessarily require dialysis. Semi-elemental formula may be slightly lower in K+ content but is not appropriate in absence of other clinical indications. Appropriate intervention would be changed to renal formula to manage and prevent further hyperkalemia.
For adult critically ill patients, considering the provision of supplemental PN versus no supplemental PN during the first week of critical illness, which recommendation provides a high evidence grade according to the 2022 Critical Care Guidelines?
a. Range 12-25 kcal/kg for 1st 7-10 days ICU stay
b. Either mixed oil ILE or 100% soybean oil ILE can be provided for appropriate PN candidates,
c. Similar caloric intake as primary feeding modality in the first week of critical illness is acceptable
d. Do not initiate prior to day 7 of ICU stay.
Answer: d. Do not initiate prior to day 7 of ICU stay
All of the above are recommended in the 2022 Critical Care Guidelines, but only
d) initiation not before ICU day #7 is high-grade evidence.
- In the context of obesity in critical illness, what is a recommended approach for the initiation of enteral nutrition?
a. Use standard polymeric formula and advance as fluid volume resuscitation is completed (24-48 hrs of admission)
b. Provide trophic EN in the initial phase, advance as tolerated after 24-48 hrs to > 80% target energy goal
c. Use weight-based energy and protein guidelines, as BMI-based recommendations remain controversial
d. Implement high-protein, hypocaloric feedings to preserve lean body mass and mobilize adipose stores
mass and mobilize adipose stores
Answer: d. Implement high-protein, hypocaloric feedings to preserve lean body Both options a & b are appropriate recommendations based on current critical care guidelines; however, the recommendation for high-protein, hypocaloric feedings are specifically indicated in obese patients.
PN safety USP chapter 797
• USP (United States Pharmacopeia) Chapter {797) safety guidelines:
• PN is moderate risk, refrigerate up to 9 days, temp -4C
ASPEN PN Safety Consensus Recommendations for labeling:
• Macronutrient content should be listed in grams per 24-hr nutrient infusion to avoid misinterpretation
• Electrolytes ordered as complete salt form rather than individual ion
• Full generic name for each ingredient (unless brand name can identify unique properties of specific dosage form)
PN Label needs to have;
Patient identifiers & date of birth
Indication(s) for PN
Height & dosing weight in metric
units
Allergies
Diagnosis/diagnoses
Administration route/vascular access device
Contact information for prescriber
Date & time order submitted
Administration date
& time
Volume, infusion rate, continuous vs cyclic
Type of formulation
(3-in-1 or 2-in-1)
PN Access Devices - ideal vessel?
• PN requires a dedicated catheter lumen
• The SVC (superior vena cava) is ~7cm long and 20-30mm in diameter with estimated blood flow 2000mL/min, making it the preferred vessel for central access for rapid dilution of PN solutions that are hypertonic with > 900 mOsm/L
Catheter measurement:
• French size is a measure of the outer diameter (1mm = 3Fr).
• Gauge is a unit of measure that is inversely proportional to the catheters outer diameter
An increasing gauge size implies a decreasing diameter (16G has > diameter than 24G catheter)
Groshong CVC
have a 3-way slit valve that eliminates the need for daily heparinized flushes and catheter clamping before discontinuation at the catheter hub
Catheters are most often made of
polyurethane or silicone
Silicone devices are soft and cause less damage to the vessel intima but are prone to fibrin sleeve formation due to serum protein adsorbing to
surface
Central access must have tip in
distal SVC, IVC or R atrium