A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client prescribed continuous enteral feedings. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Check the gastric residual every 8 hr.

Change the feeding bag every 24 hr.

Flush the tube with sterile sodium chloride solution every 2 hr.

Position the head of the client's bed at 15.

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : B

Correct answer: B

A. Check the gastric residual every 8 hr:
Explanation: It is generally recommended to check gastric residuals more frequently than every 8 hours, often every 4-6 hours, especially in the initial stages of continuous enteral feedings, to monitor tolerance and prevent complications such as aspiration.

B. Change the feeding bag every 24 hr:
Explanation: Changing the feeding bag and tubing at regular intervals helps prevent bacterial contamination and maintain aseptic technique. The frequency of bag changes is typically scheduled every 24 hours or according to facility protocols.

C. Flush the tube with sterile sodium chloride solution every 2 hr:
Explanation: While it is important to flush the feeding tube regularly to maintain patency, using sterile water is typically recommended unless there is a specific clinical indication for sterile sodium chloride. The frequency of flushing (usually every 4-6 hours for continuous feeding) should be determined based on the institution's protocol and the client's specific needs.

D. Position the head of the client's bed at 15 degrees:
Explanation: To reduce the risk of aspiration, the head of the bed should be elevated to at least 30-45 degrees during enteral feedings, not just 15 degrees. Elevating the head of the bed helps prevent reflux and aspiration.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Flush the tube with water:
This is the correct action to take first. Flushing the tube with water ensures that the tube is clear and functional before administering the bolus enteral feeding.

B. Measure stomach contents:
This is not the first action to take. Before measuring stomach contents, it's important to confirm that the tube is patent and clear by flushing it with water.

C. Elevate the head of the bed:
While elevating the head of the bed is important during and after enteral feedings to reduce the risk of aspiration, it is not the first step. The initial focus should be on verifying the tube's patency.

D. Return gastric content into the gastrostomy tube:
If there is resistance or difficulty flushing the tube, returning gastric contents into the tube may be necessary, but it's not the first action. The first step is to attempt to clear the tube with water.

A. The nurse administers the feeding through a syringe barrel by gravity. B. The nurse allows the client to rest in a supine position during feeding. C. The nurse irrigates the NG tube with tap water after feeding. D. The nurse initiates the feeding after aspirating 50 mL of gastric residual.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. The nurse administers the feeding through a syringe barrel by gravity.
This is an appropriate method for administering intermittent tube feedings. Gravity feeding with a syringe allows for controlled delivery of the feeding solution.

B. The nurse allows the client to rest in a supine position during feeding.
Feeding a client in a supine position is generally acceptable, especially if the client is comfortable and doesn't experience complications. However, if there are specific contraindications or concerns for aspiration, the nurse should follow the prescribed position guidelines.

C. The nurse irrigates the NG tube with tap water after feeding.
Using tap water to irrigate an NG tube is not recommended, as it may lead to complications such as electrolyte imbalances. Sterile or distilled water should be used for irrigation.

D. The nurse initiates the feeding after aspirating 50 mL of gastric residual.
This is an appropriate action. Aspirating gastric residual before initiating a feeding helps assess the presence of gastric contents, ensuring that the client is ready to receive the feeding. However, specific institutional policies may dictate the threshold for gastric residual volume that requires intervention.

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A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client prescribed continuous enteral feedings. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Nursing Test Bank

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