A nurse is preparing to instill 840 mL of enteral nutrition via a patient’s gastrostomy tube over 24 hours using an infusion pump.

How many mL/hr should the nurse set the infusion pump to deliver?

The client is at greatest risk for developing a Pressure ulcer due to Limited mobility.

The client’s limited mobility and the need for assistance to turn and transfer out of bed increases the risk of pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue resulting from prolonged pressure on the skin. They most often develop on skin that covers bony areas of the body, such as the heels, ankles, hips, and tailbone. People most at risk of pressure ulcers are those with a medical condition that limits their ability to change positions or those who spend most of their time in a bed or chair.

Choice A rationale

Full thickness skin loss with visible bone is not described in the question. This would be a description of a stage IV pressure ulcer, which involves full thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon, or muscle.

Choice B rationale

Intact skin with localized erythema is not described in the question. This would be a description of a stage I pressure ulcer, which involves intact skin with non-blanchable redness of a localized area usually over a bony prominence.

Choice C rationale

Partial-thickness skin loss with red tissue is not described in the question. This would be a description of a stage II pressure ulcer, which involves partial thickness loss of dermis presenting as a shallow open ulcer with a red pink wound bed, without slough.

Choice D rationale

Full thickness skin loss with visible adipose tissue is the condition described in the question. This would be a description of a stage III pressure ulcer, which involves full thickness tissue loss. Subcutaneous fat may be visible but bone, tendon, or muscle are not exposed.