A nurse is planning care for a client who has a prescription for continuous enteral feedings through an NG tube.
Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
Measure gastric residual volumes every 4 hr.
Advance the rate of the feeding every 2 hr.
Maintain the head of the bed at a 20° angle.
Flush the NG tube with 30 mL 0.9% sodium chloride before and after medication
The Correct Answer is A
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is B.
Choice A reason: Atrial fibrillation is characterized by a rapid, irregular heartbeat and an absence of distinct P waves on the ECG, which is not indicated by the information provided.
Choice B reason: First-degree AV block is indicated by a prolonged PR interval without affecting the overall heart rate, aligning with the client’s PR interval of 0.24 seconds.
Choice C reason: Premature ventricular contraction would show an abnormal QRS complex on the ECG, which is not mentioned in the scenario.
Choice D reason: Sinus bradycardia is defined by a heart rate less than 60 bpm, which does not apply here as the client’s heart rate is 69/min, within the normal range of 60-100 bpm.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C, frequent swallowing.
This indicates that the child may be experiencing hemorrhage because they are trying to clear the blood from their throat. Frequent swallowing is one of the initial signs of bleeding immediately after tonsillectomy.
Choice A is wrong because elevated pain level is not a specific sign of hemorrhage.
Pain is expected after a tonsillectomy and can be managed with medication and fluids.
Choice B is wrong because increased drowsiness is not a specific sign of hemorrhage.
Drowsiness can be caused by anesthesia, medication, or dehydration.
Choice D is wrong because diminished breath sounds are not a specific sign of hemorrhage.
Diminished breath sounds can be caused by respiratory infection, asthma, or bronchospasm.
Normal ranges for hemoglobin and hematocrit are 11.5 to 15.5 g/dL and 34 to 45% for children, respectively.
Normal ranges for platelet count are 150,000 to 450,000/mm3 for both children and adults.
Normal ranges for plasma clotting variables depend on the specific test and method used.
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