A nurse is caring for a client who is taking multiple medications. Which of the following medications should the nurse identify as a controlled substance?

Rationale:

A. Check gastric residuals every 4 hr: Monitoring gastric residual volume every 4 hours helps assess tolerance to enteral feeding and reduces the risk of aspiration. High residuals may indicate delayed gastric emptying, requiring adjustment of the feeding regimen or provider notification.

B. Check placement of the feeding tube by x-ray once daily: X-ray is the gold standard for initial confirmation of tube placement, not for routine daily checks. Ongoing verification is typically done by assessing pH of gastric aspirate and observing for signs of misplacement, making daily x-rays unnecessary and impractical.

C. Maintain the head of the client's bed at a 30° angle or higher: Elevating the head of the bed reduces the risk of aspiration during continuous enteral feedings. Proper positioning is a key intervention to promote safety and prevent complications such as pneumonia.

D. Change the feeding container and tubing every 24 hr: Changing the feeding container and tubing every 24 hours helps prevent bacterial contamination and infection. This is a standard infection-control measure in enteral feeding care.

E. Ensure the formula is cold before administration: Formula should be at room temperature before administration. Cold formula can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, cramping, and nausea, so heating it to room temperature improves tolerance and safety.

Rationale:

A. "You should not drink through a straw for 2 weeks.": Drinking through a straw can create pressure in the middle ear, which may dislodge the tympanic membrane graft or interfere with healing after a myringotomy. Avoiding straws is an important precaution to protect the surgical site and promote proper recovery.

B. "You should expect excessive ear drainage for about 48 hours": Some drainage may occur, but excessive drainage is not expected and could indicate infection or complications. Clients should be instructed to report any abnormal or persistent drainage to the provider rather than expecting it as normal.

C. "You can wash your hair 3 days after the procedure.": Hair washing is typically delayed until the provider confirms it is safe, usually after avoiding water in the ear for a few days. Premature washing could allow water to enter the middle ear, increasing the risk of infection.

D. "You should blow your nose with your mouth closed": Blowing the nose increases pressure in the middle ear and can compromise the healing of the tympanic membrane. Clients should be taught to avoid nose-blowing entirely or do so gently with the mouth open if necessary.