A client with a gastrostomy tube is receiving a continuous feeding, and the nurse suspects that the client has aspirated some of the feeding. Which action should the nurse take?
Decrease the rate of the feeding by half.
Observe for an allergic reaction to the formula.
Hang a new bag of the enteral formula.
Stop the tube feeding and assess the client.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Decreasing the rate of the feeding might be a consideration if the feeding was too rapid, but it is not the immediate priority if aspiration is suspected.
B. While it is important to monitor for allergic reactions to enteral formulas, this is not the immediate concern if aspiration is suspected. Allergic reactions would typically present with symptoms such as rash, itching, or gastrointestinal distress, and not immediately after aspiration.
C. Hanging a new bag of enteral formula is not an appropriate action if aspiration is suspected. The
priority is to ensure the client’s safety and address any complications that may arise from the aspiration, such as aspiration pneumonia.
D. Stopping the tube feeding and assessing the client is the most appropriate initial action if aspiration is suspected. Immediate assessment is necessary to determine if the client is experiencing signs of aspiration, such as coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, or changes in consciousness.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Document in the EHR: While documenting the event in the electronic health record is important, it's not sufficient to address the medication error. An incident report provides a more comprehensive and structured approach to documenting and investigating the event.
B. When a medication error occurs, it's crucial to document the event through an incident report. This helps to identify the root cause of the error, prevent similar occurrences in the future, and ensure patient safety. An incident report should include a detailed description of the event, the actions taken, and any potential contributing factors.
C. While informing the next shift is important for continuity of care, it's not the most immediate action needed to address the medication error. Completing an incident report is a higher priority.
D. Notifying the healthcare provider is important, but it should be done in conjunction with completing an incident report. The incident report provides a detailed record of the event, which can be shared with the healthcare provider for further review and investigation.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Hemoglobin (Hgb) and Hematocrit (Hct) are important indicators of anemia, which can be caused by nutritional deficiencies such as iron, vitamin B12, or folate deficiencies. For an older adult female, the reference range for hemoglobin is 12 to 16 g/dL, and the hematocrit range is 37% to 47%. A hemoglobin of 11.8 g/dL and a hematocrit of 34% are below the normal range, indicating potential anemia, which could be related to nutritional deficiencies.
B. Weight loss or being underweight can be a sign of nutritional deficiency, particularly if it is unintentional. However, this option lacks specific details about the extent of weight loss and its relation to other indicators. Weight alone does not provide complete information about nutritional deficiencies without additional context, such as changes in weight over time or body composition.
C. A decrease in lean body mass can be indicative of malnutrition or a prolonged deficiency in protein or overall caloric intake. While it is an important indicator of nutritional status, it reflects long-term changes and may not immediately show acute deficiencies.
D. Serum albumin and serum transferrin are biomarkers of nutritional status. The reference range for serum albumin is 3.5 to 5.0 g/dL, and for serum transferrin, it is 250 to 380 mg/dL. A serum albumin level of 3 g/dL and a serum transferrin level of 180 mg/dL are both below the normal range, indicating possible malnutrition or protein deficiency.
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