A nurse is preparing to administer three medications to a child who is receiving continuous enteral feedings via a gastrostomy tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Flush the gastrostomy tube with 10 mL of formula between each medication.
Dilute viscous medications with water.
Add the medications to the bag of formula.
Combine the medications together in one syringe.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Flushing the gastrostomy tube with 10 mL of formula between each medication is incorrect. The nurse should flush the tube with sterile water, not formula, to prevent interactions between the medication and formula, which could cause clogging or reduced medication effectiveness.
B. Diluting viscous medications with water is correct. Thick or viscous medications should be diluted with water to facilitate easier administration through the gastrostomy tube and prevent clogging. This ensures proper delivery of the medication to the gastrointestinal tract.
C. Adding the medications to the bag of formula is incorrect. Medications should never be mixed directly into enteral feeding formula, as they may cause interactions, alter medication absorption, or clog the feeding tube. Each medication should be administered separately.
D. Combining the medications together in one syringe is incorrect. Medications should be administered separately to avoid potential drug interactions, altered medication absorption, and tube blockage. Each medication should be given individually, followed by flushing with water.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Bloody stools. This is correct. A classic sign of intussusception in infants is the presence of "currant jelly" stools, which are stools that are bloody and mucous. This results from the ischemia and inflammation caused by the telescoping of the intestine.
B. Periorbital edema. Periorbital edema is not a typical finding of intussusception. It is more commonly seen with conditions such as nephrotic syndrome or allergic reactions.
C. Polyuria. Polyuria is not associated with intussusception. This condition typically presents with symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloody stools, rather than abnormal urine output.
D. Ascites. Ascites, or abdominal fluid accumulation, is not a characteristic finding of intussusception. While abdominal distension may occur due to the obstruction, ascites would be more suggestive of a different condition, such as liver disease or heart failure.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Use a firm nipple on the bottle is incorrect. A firm nipple can cause the infant to exert more energy while feeding, which can exacerbate fatigue in an infant with heart failure. A soft or medium nipple is generally recommended to minimize energy expenditure.
B. Thicken the formula with a tsp of rice cereal per ounce is incorrect. Thickeners like rice cereal are not recommended for infants with heart failure, as they can increase the caloric intake and make digestion more difficult, potentially worsening the condition.
C. Dilute the formula with water to half strength is incorrect. Diluting formula with water can reduce the calorie and nutrient content, which is not appropriate for an infant who needs adequate nutrition to support growth and health, especially when dealing with heart failure.
D. Feed the infant at the first sign of hunger is correct. Feeding the infant at the first sign of hunger is important because it allows for smaller, more frequent meals that can reduce the workload on the heart. This approach helps prevent fatigue and improves the infant's ability to consume the necessary calories and nutrients.
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