NPO

Published

How long can patients be NPO for? Can patients really survive only on the IV fluids that they are receiving?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

If they need to be NPO for more than a couple of days then they need to be on TPN

Up Vote Up Vote ×

so patients can survive only on IV fluids for just about two days?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Starting alternative forms of nutrition is recommended for many patients starting on day 2 because the lack of nutrition can begin to have clinically significant effects after two days, not that they'll will likely day on day 3 of being NPO. How long someone can survive a fast depends on their nutritional levels at the beginning of the fast, but being able to only survive two days would be pretty rare.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

There are a lot of factors to consider each patient is different. I have seen patients go over 5 days before TPN was started. But as the previous poster stated, the nutritional status of the patient before becoming NPO.

If the patients condition is looking like they have to be NPO for more than a couple of days there should be discussions around when/if a patient should be started on TPN or PTPN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care - Adult, Med Surg, Neuro.

I see recommendations to start TPN or TF usually at 3-5 days.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

yes they can.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

They can "survive" more than 2 days. It is not optimal but they will live. Is this for school?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion