A nurse is educating the parent of a school-age child about the importance of maintaining water intake to prevent dehydration. Which of the following food choices should the nurse recommend as containing the greatest percentage of water?

Choice A reason: Measuring the client's gastric residual every 12 hr is not frequent enough to monitor the feeding tolerance and prevent aspiration. The nurse should measure the gastric residual before each intermittent feeding or every 4 to 6 hr during continuous feeding¹².

Choice B reason: Flushing the client's tube with 30 mL of water every 4 hr is an appropriate action to maintain the tube patency, prevent clogging, and hydrate the client. The nurse should flush the tube before and after each medication administration, feeding, or gastric residual check¹³.

Choice C reason: Keeping the client's head elevated at 15° during feedings is not sufficient to prevent reflux and aspiration. The nurse should elevate the head of the bed at least 30° to 45° during feedings and for at least 30 min to 1 hr after feedings¹⁴.

Choice D reason: Obtaining the client's electrolyte levels every 4 hr is not necessary unless the client has signs of fluid or electrolyte imbalance, such as edema, dehydration, or abnormal vital signs. The nurse should monitor the client's weight, intake and output, and laboratory values as ordered by the provider¹⁵.

Choice A reason: Weight gain of 0.45 kg (1 lb) per week is not within the expected reference range for a client who is in the second trimester of pregnancy and has a normal BMI. The recommended weight gain for this client is 0.35 to 0.5 kg (0.8 to 1 lb) per week.

Choice B reason: Intake of 200 extra calories per day is within the expected reference range for a client who is in the second trimester of pregnancy and has a normal BMI. The recommended caloric intake for this client is 2200 to 2900 calories per day, which is about 340 to 450 calories more than the pre-pregnancy intake.

Choice C reason: Intake of 100 extra calories per day is not within the expected reference range for a client who is in the second trimester of pregnancy and has a normal BMI. The recommended caloric intake for this client is 2200 to 2900 calories per day, which is about 340 to 450 calories more than the pre-pregnancy intake.

Choice D reason: Weight gain of 0.91 kg (2 lb) per week is not within the expected reference range for a client who is in the second trimester of pregnancy and has a normal BMI. The recommended weight gain for this client is 0.35 to 0.5 kg (0.8 to 1 lb) per week.