Management of the diabetic patient receiving nutritional support

The diabetic patient receiving TPN presents a challenge to health care personnel. Usual protocols concerning TPN administration must be reevaluated given the special considerations associated with the pathology of diabetes mellitus. These patients are susceptible to the development of complications including those associated with glucose metabolism abnormalities and electrolyte imbalances. In addition, diabetic patients receiving TPN have the added stress of an acute illness complicating a chronic illness. An understanding of the interrelationships between the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus and the stress response will provide the nutritional support team with the background information necessary to meet the challenges imposed by TPN administration. The health care team will be able to recognize early signs and symptoms of complications and implement appropriate interventions. Individualized care plans can be formulated as an extension of the basic plan that has been presented, thus providing optimum care to the diabetic patient receiving nutritional support.