Which patient monitoring is essential to prevent complications associated with intravenous glucose therapy?

Monitoring fluid balance is crucial when managing patients receiving intravenous glucose therapy. This is because administering glucose in a fluid solution can lead to significant shifts in fluid balance, especially in patients with conditions like diabetes, heart failure, or renal impairment. An imbalance can result in potential complications such as hypervolemia or dehydration, which may further exacerbate existing health issues.

Additionally, careful assessment of fluid intake and output helps to ensure that the correct amount of glucose is being metabolized without inducing hyperglycemia or other metabolic derangements. Maintaining proper fluid balance also aids in assessing kidney function and the overall hydration status of the patient, making it a key aspect of care when administering intravenous glucose.

While monitoring for intravenous site infection is important, and tracking urine output can provide insights into kidney function, they do not directly address the fluid shifts and potential complications arising specifically from glucose therapy. Cardiac rhythm monitoring may be relevant in certain clinical situations but is not a primary focus of glucose infusion management. Therefore, fluid balance stands out as the primary monitoring concern in this context.