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.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Following the rupture of membranes, delivery is imminent and administration of glucocorticoids may not take effect to benefit the baby.
Choice B reason:
Monitoring the client's temperature (Choice B) is important as the client is at risk of chorioamnionitis which may increase the risk of severe early neonatal sepsis. Changes in temperature as they may warrant anibiotic therapy and immediate delivery.
Choice C reason:
Giving calcium gluconate (Choice C) is not indicated in this situation. Calcium gluconate is typically administered in cases of magnesium sulfate toxicity or to treat hypocalcemia, neither of which is mentioned in the scenario. Therefore, it is not the appropriate action for the nurse to take at this time.
Choice D reason:
Preparing the client for an amniocentesis (Choice D) is not the correct action in this situation. An amniocentesis is a procedure in which a small amount of amniotic fluid is withdrawn for various diagnostic reasons, such as genetic testing or assessing fetal lung maturity. However, in this scenario, the priority is to administer glucocorticoids to promote fetal lung maturity, and an amniocentesis does not address this immediate concern.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Take this medication every day for regular bowel movements. Rationale: This choice is incorrect. Docusate sodium is a stool softener used to prevent constipation, but it should not be taken daily for regular bowel movements. Overuse of stool softeners can lead to dependence and may disrupt the natural bowel function.
Choice B reason:
Take the medication with mineral oil. Rationale: This choice is incorrect. Docusate sodium should not be taken with mineral oil. When taken together, they can form a mixture that is difficult for the body to absorb, leading to potential adverse effects.
Choice C reason:
Decrease dietary fiber intake while taking this medication. Rationale: This choice is incorrect. It is not advisable to decrease dietary fiber intake while taking docusate sodium. Fiber is essential for promoting regular bowel movements and overall gastrointestinal health.
Combining the medication with a high-fiber diet can enhance its effectiveness.
Choice D reason:
Take the medication with a full glass of water. Rationale: This choice is correct. The nurse should instruct the client to take docusate sodium with a full glass of water. The water helps to soften the stool and allows the medication to work effectively in preventing constipation.
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