Excess glucose should especially be avoided in long-term parenteral nutrition patients at risk for which condition?

Excess glucose should be particularly avoided in long-term parenteral nutrition patients at risk for PN-associated liver disease due to the potential for liver complications linked to inappropriate glucose levels and calories. In patients receiving parenteral nutrition, the liver can become affected by the over-supply of glucose, leading to fatty liver disease, cholestasis, and other metabolic disturbances.

Parenteral nutrition provides all the essential nutrients intravenously, but if the glucose is not appropriately managed, it can lead to excessive caloric intake. This is particularly concerning because the liver metabolizes most carbohydrates, and an excess can overwhelm hepatic function, contributing to liver injury and PN-associated liver disease, which is a significant concern in patients on long-term parenteral nutrition.

In patients at risk for conditions such as renal failure, cardiac dysfunction, or gastrointestinal bleeding, while glucose levels may still need to be monitored, the direct relationship with PN-associated liver disease makes it crucial to manage glucose intake carefully to prevent further complications in the liver. Therefore, maintaining a balanced approach in administering glucose helps minimize the risk of liver disease in these patients.