A nurse is preparing to administer a bolus enteral feeding to a client who has a gastrostomy tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Elevate the head of the bed.
Measure stomach contents.
Return gastric content into the gastrostomy tube.
Flush the tube with water
The Correct Answer is A
Elevating the head of the bed to a semi-Fowler's or high Fowler's position helps prevent aspiration during the feeding. This position facilitates proper digestion and reduces the risk of
regurgitation or reflux. It allows gravity to assist in keeping the feeding in the stomach and reduces the likelihood of complications.
The other actions mentioned are also important steps in the process but should be performed after elevating the head of the bed:
Measure stomach contents: This step is usually done before administering any enteral feeding to check for the presence of residual gastric contents. It helps determine if the client is tolerating previous feedings and guides adjustments in the feeding volume or rate if needed.
Return gastric content into the gastrostomy tube: If there is a significant amount of gastric residual, it is recommended to return the contents into the stomach before administering the feeding. This helps ensure that the client receives the full prescribed amount of the enteral feeding.
Flush the tube with water: Flushing the gastrostomy tube with water before and after the feeding helps maintain tube patency, clears any residual feeding or medication, and prevents clogging.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
After administering lactulose to a client with cirrhosis, the nurse should monitor for the adverse effects of diarrhea. Lactulose is a laxative commonly used in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, which can occur in individuals with cirrhosis. One of the intended effects of lactulose is to promote bowel movements and reduce the absorption of ammonia in the gut, thus helping to manage hepatic encephalopathy.
While lactulose can cause adverse effects such as diarrhea, it is not typically associated with peripheral edema. Peripheral edema is often seen in cirrhosis due to fluid retention caused by liver dysfunction.
Dry mouth and headache are less commonly associated with lactulose use and are not typically the primary adverse effects to monitor for in this scenario.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Docusate is a stool softener commonly used to relieve constipation. Opioid pain medications often cause constipation as a side effect by slowing down bowel movements. Docusate helps by increasing the amount of water absorbed by the stool, making it softer and easier to pass.
The other options mentioned are not the primary therapeutic effects of docusate: Relief from nausea: Docusate is not typically prescribed for relief from nausea. Antiemetic medications are used to alleviate nausea and vomiting.
Decreased drowsiness: Docusate does not directly affect drowsiness. Its main action is on the stool consistency, not on alertness or drowsiness.
Decreased cancer pain: Docusate is not prescribed for pain relief. Opioids are generally used to manage cancer pain in this scenario.
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