Should parenteral nutrition be used for the treatment of involuntary weight loss?

Parenteral nutrition is not routinely recommended for the treatment of involuntary weight loss, especially if oral or enteral feeding can be established. This is because parenteral nutrition does not address the underlying causes of weight loss, which can include factors like inadequate oral intake, malabsorption, or increased metabolic demands.

It is important to assess and manage the reasons for the weight loss first, and if oral intake is possible, efforts should be made to enhance that before considering parenteral nutrition. Additionally, parenteral nutrition carries risks, including infections and metabolic complications, which can be significant in older adults.

Thus, the answer that indicates parenteral nutrition should not be used as a standard treatment for involuntary weight loss is correct, as it reflects current practices focusing on less invasive and more holistic approaches to nutrition in this population.