A nurse is preparing to administer an intermittent enteral feeding to a child who has an NG tube in place. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Place the child in an upright position.
Verify the position of the NG tube.
Determine the gastric residual volume.
Flush the child's NG tube with sterile water.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason:
The nurse should prioritize Choice B over Choice A as it is essential to first confirm the correct placement of the NG tube before proceeding with any other actions. If the tube is not correctly positioned, administering the enteral feeding can lead to potential complications, such as aspiration, which can be life-threatening. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure the NG tube's proper placement before moving forward with the feeding
Choice B reason:
This option takes precedence as verifying the NG tube's position is a fundamental step in the enteral feeding process. The nurse must use appropriate methods, such as X-ray or pH testing, to confirm that the tube is in the stomach and not in the respiratory tract or elsewhere. This verification ensures the safety and effectiveness of the feeding procedure and prevents potential harm to the child.
Choice C reason:
While checking the gastric residual volume (GRV) is an important step in some cases, it should be done after confirming the NG tube's proper placement (Choice B). GRV provides information about the amount of feeding left in the stomach and helps in assessing tolerance to the feeding. However, if the NG tube is misplaced, determining GRV becomes irrelevant as the feeding would not be going to the intended location.
Choice D reason:
Flushing the child's NG tube with sterile water is an appropriate step during the enteral feeding process but should be done after verifying the tube's position (Choice B). Flushing ensures that the tube is patent and free from any obstructions, allowing the feeding to pass through smoothly. However, again, if the NG tube is incorrectly positioned, flushing it would not address the underlying issue.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason:
The nurse should not tell the client to lie flat on their back for the duration of the nonstress test. It is essential for pregnant clients to be in a semi-reclining or left lateral position during the test to avoid supine hypotension syndrome. This condition can occur when the weight of the uterus compresses the inferior vena cava, reducing blood flow to the heart and potentially compromising the baby's well-being.
Choice B reason:
The nurse should not instruct the client to lightly brush their palms across their nipples during the test. This statement is not related to the nonstress test procedure. The nonstress test involves monitoring the baby's heart rate in response to its movements, and nipple stimulation is not a standard part of the test.
Choice C reason:
The nurse should not advise the client not to eat or drink anything for 4 hours before the test. It is important for pregnant clients to have adequate nutrition and hydration, especially during the third trimester. Restricting food and drink for such a prolonged period could lead to dehydration and may not be necessary for the test.
Choice D reason:
This is the correct choice. During a nonstress test, the client is connected to a fetal heart rate monitor. They are asked to press a button whenever they feel the baby moving. This allows the healthcare provider to correlate the baby's movements with changes in the heart rate pattern, which helps assess the baby's well-being.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
If the parent states, "My child uses scissors to cut out the outline of an object,” this indicates fine motor skills development. While this is a positive milestone, it is not specific to the expected benchmarks of other preschoolers in this age group. The ability to cut out shapes with scissors varies widely among preschoolers.
Choice B reason:
"My child can copy triangle shapes onto paper.” This statement shows that the child can demonstrate some level of visual-motor coordination and fine motor skills. Copying shapes like triangles is a common milestone for many preschoolers at the age of 3 and is considered an expected benchmark.
Choice C reason:
If the parent says, "My child can ride a tricycle,” this indicates gross motor skills development. Riding a tricycle is also a milestone achieved by many preschoolers, but it may not be as specific to the expected benchmarks of this age group as choice B, which focuses on fine motor skills and visual-motor coordination.
Choice D reason:
If the parent mentions, "My child can throw a ball overhead,” this also points to gross motor skills development. While throwing a ball overhead is an impressive skill for a 3-year-old, it may not be as common or consistent among all preschoolers in this age group as the ability to copy triangle shapes onto paper (choice B).
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