A nurse is caring for a client who has just had a central venous catheter placed via the right subclavian vein. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Elevate the head of the client's bed for 1 hr after the feeding. This is because elevating the head of the client's bed to at least 30 degrees can help prevent aspiration and gastric reflux.

Choice B is incorrect because administering the feeding solution at a cold temperature can cause discomfort and diarrhea.

Choice C is incorrect because rotating the jejunostomy tube once per day can cause irritation and trauma to the stoma site.

Choice D is incorrect because flushing the tube with 90 mL of sterile water before and after the feeding is not necessary as long as the tube is adequately flushed before and after each feeding.

The explanation for why the other choices are not answered: B – Administering the feeding solution at a cold temperature can cause discomfort and diarrhea, so it should not be done. C – Rotating the jejunostomy tube once per day can cause irritation and trauma to the stoma site, so this is not the correct action. D – Flushing the tube with 90 mL of sterile water before and after the feeding is unnecessary to do as long as the tube is adequately flushed before and after each feeding. Thus, this is not the correct answer.

The correct answer is choice A. Auscultate the client's abdomen for bowel sounds. This is the first action the nurse should take because it provides information about the client's bowel motility and function. Opioid medications can decrease bowel motility and cause constipation. The nurse should assess the client's abdomen before implementing any interventions.

• Choice B is not correct because providing privacy and a set time to defecate is a nonpharmacological intervention that can help prevent constipation, but it is not the first action the nurse should take.
• Choice C is not correct because administering a fiber-based laxative is a pharmacological intervention that can help treat constipation, but it is not the first action the nurse should take. The nurse should also consider the client's fluid intake and preference before giving a laxative.
• Choice D is not correct because encouraging the client to increase oral intake of fluids is a nonpharmacological intervention that can help prevent constipation, but it is not the first action the nurse should take. The nurse should also consider the client's fluid balance and medical condition before giving fluids.