Acid-Base Disorders in Total Parenteral Nutrition

Patients undergoing total parenteral nutrition (TPN) have several underlying systemic illnesses such as infection, surgical operations, cachexia, malnutrition, and malfunctioning gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, these patients are subject to both acidotic and alkalotic conditions. In addition, the composition of TPN solutions such as amino acids and glucose can predispose them to these acid-base disturbances. Let us discuss each one of the four primary acid-base disorders in detail.