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a. insertion site of permanent catheter
b.exit site of catheter with an external segment. The implanted port is situated in the upper chest wall.
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Parenteral nutrition is given into a main vein, close to the heart.
The nutrients that the body requires are in a solution which is administered intravenously through a small permanent catheter placed in a main vein. There are two types of catheter: one which has an external segment and one which is an implanted device.
The catheter must be connected to the bag of nutrient solution under aseptic conditions, as the catheter tip lies approximately 3cm from the heart. The connection procedures have been developed to ensure that the risk of allowing bacteria into the bloodstream is virtually nil.
The normal volume infused is between 2 – 3 litres, but some may need larger volumes for a longer time. It is generally given over a 10 – 12 hour period, and most people choose to do this overnight.
Parenteral nutrition (PN) is also referred to as ‘total parenteral nutrition’ (TPN) and ‘home parenteral nutrition’ (HPN)
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