Are teenagers considered high risk for problems when PN is initiated in the home setting?

• A. Yes
• B. Only if they have diabetes
• C. Only if living in a rural area
• D. No

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that safety with home parenteral nutrition is driven by the patient’s ability to manage the therapy, not by age alone. Teens can learn catheter care, sterile technique, recognizing signs of complication, and how to report issues, provided there is thorough education and robust support from the nutrition support team. With careful assessment of the teen’s understanding, dexterity, independence, caregiver involvement, housing stability, and access to ongoing follow-up and 24/7 support, home PN initiation can be as safe for teenagers as for other patients. The risks that do arise—such as catheter infections or metabolic problems—stem from gaps in technique or monitoring, not from teen status. So teenagers are not inherently high risk for problems when PN is started at home.