A nurse is assisting with food selection for a client who follows kosher dietary traditions.

Which of the following food choices should the nurse include on the client’s food tray?

A: Review the need for the indwelling urinary catheter daily.
This is correct because indwelling catheters should be removed as soon as possible to reduce the risk of urinary tract infection (UTI).

B: Place the drainage bag on the bed when transporting the client.
This is incorrect because the drainage bag should be kept below the level of the bladder and should not touch the floor to prevent the backflow of urine and contamination of the catheter.

C: Use soap and water to provide perineal care.
This is correct because soap and water can help to remove bacteria and debris from the meatus and prevent infection.

D: Encourage the client to drink 3000 mL of fluid daily.
This is incorrect because the client has a fluid restriction of 1000 mL daily due to heart failure. Excessive fluid intake can worsen the client’s condition and increase the workload of the heart.

E: Change the indwelling urinary catheter tubing every 3 days.
This is incorrect because changing the catheter tubing can increase the risk of infection by breaking the closed drainage system. The catheter tubing should only be changed when it is visibly soiled or malfunctioning.

F: Empty the drainage bag when it is half full.
This is incorrect because the drainage bag should be emptied at least every 8 hours or when it is one-third full to prevent back pressure and infection.

The correct answer is choice A. Measure gastric residual volumes every 4 hr.

This is because continuous enteral feedings through an NG tube can increase the risk of aspiration, which is the inhalation of food or fluids into the lungs. Measuring gastric residual volumes (GRV) can help monitor the tolerance and absorption of the feedings and prevent overfeeding. GRV is the amount of fluid aspirated from the stomach via an enteral tube to check for gastric emptying. The normal range of GRV is less than 200 ml.

Choice B is wrong because advancing the rate of the feeding every 2 hr can lead to overfeeding, abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The rate of the feeding should be adjusted according to the client’s nutritional needs and tolerance.

Choice C is wrong because maintaining the head of the bed at a 20° angle is not enough to prevent aspiration. The head of the bed should be elevated at least 30° to 45° during and for at least one hour after feeding.

Choice D is wrong because flushing the NG tube with 30 mL 0.9% sodium chloride before and after medication is not related to continuous enteral feedings. This is a practice to prevent clogging of the tube and ensure proper delivery of medication. Flushing the tube with water before and after feeding is also recommended to maintain patency and hydration.