Tag: Total parenteral nutrition

First introduced in 1979, the Hickman line was a modified central catheter designed to improve venous access for marrow transplant recipients. So, what is the purpose of the Hickman line today? It is used to provide long-term, reliable access to the bloodstream for patients requiring extended intravenous treatments.

Over 2.5 million peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC lines) are placed in the United States annually, offering a crucial and often more comfortable solution for patients requiring long-term intravenous access. A healthcare provider will explain why a patient would need a PICC line, emphasizing the benefits it provides for extended treatments.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), central venous access device (CVAD) insertion requires strict protocols due to associated risks like Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), underscoring the importance of understanding **which of the following are indications for clients who need a CVAD**. A CVAD is used when a patient's treatment requires reliable, long-term, or specialized intravenous access that cannot be safely managed with a standard peripheral IV line.

While both can provide nutritional support, a PICC line is distinctly different from a feeding tube. The confusion often arises because a PICC line can be used for 'feeding' intravenously, a process known as total parenteral nutrition (TPN). This means the nutrition bypasses the digestive system entirely, unlike a traditional feeding tube that delivers nutrients directly to the stomach or intestines.

Medical abbreviations can be confusing and context-dependent. The acronym **what does TP stand for in medical terms** depends on the specific clinical situation, most often referring to Total Protein in lab results or forming part of vital signs like Temperature and Pulse.