Ace the 2026 HESI Basic Care and Comfort Exam – Comfort Your Way to Success!

Polydipsia, or excessive thirst, is a common symptom associated with hyperglycemia, especially in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). When the body has elevated glucose levels, it triggers osmotic diuresis, leading to the loss of fluids and electrolytes. Consequently, this fluid loss causes dehydration, which the body responds to with an increased sensation of thirst.

In clients on TPN, the composition of the nutrient solution can result in high blood glucose levels if not properly monitored or managed. If hyperglycemia occurs, the resultant dehydration will prompt the individual to drink more fluids to compensate for the increased thirst, thus exhibiting polydipsia as a symptom.

Other symptoms that can occur with hyperglycemia may include polyuria (increased urination), fatigue, and blurred vision, but within the context of the provided choices, polydipsia is the most direct indicator of elevated glucose levels in a patient receiving total parenteral nutrition.