A client is receiving a continuous gastric tube feeding at 80 mL/hour. The nurse records the client's gastric residual volume as 325 mL during each of two consecutive hourly measurements. What assessment should the nurse complete before contacting the healthcare provider?
Observe for abdominal distention,
Calculate 24-hour caloric intake.
Measure the urinary output.
Check for body weight changes.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A
Observing for abdominal distention is recommended. Gastric residual volume (GRV) is the amount of formula or food remaining in the stomach after a feeding through a gastric tube. A GRV of 325 mL is relatively high, and it's important to assess the client for signs of potential complications before contacting the healthcare provider. Observe for signs of abdominal distention, which could indicate that the stomach is not adequately emptying or that the feeding is not being tolerated well.
Choice B
Calculating 24-hour caloric intake is not recommended: While monitoring caloric intake is important for overall nutritional assessment, it does not address the immediate concern of a high GRV and the potential need for adjustment of the feeding rate or management.
Choice C
Measuring urinary output is not recommended: Urinary output is important to monitor for fluid balance, but it may not be directly related to the elevated GRV.
Choice D
Checking for body weight changes is not recommended: Monitoring body weight is essential for assessing nutritional status, but it may not provide immediate insights into the impact of the elevated GRV.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["595"]
Explanation
To calculate the fluid intake, you need to convert each type of drink to millilitres (mL) and then sum them up:
Oatmeal: Oatmeal is usually consumed as a solid, so it doesn't contribute to fluid intake.
Cup of milk: Depending on the size of the cup, let's assume it's 240 mL (a common serving size for a cup of milk).
12 ounces of coffee: Convert ounces to millilitres. 1 fluid ounce is approximately 29.5735 mL, so 12 ounces is roughly 354.882 mL.
Total fluid intake = Milk + Coffee Total fluid intake = 240 mL + 354.882 mL Total fluid intake = approx595mL
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Correct answer: D
Choice A
Urinary ketones are not most important. Monitoring urinary ketones can provide information about the utilization of glucose and fat as energy sources. However, it is not the primary lab value to monitor in TPN administration.
Choice B
Serum protein is not most important. Monitoring serum protein levels is important to assess nutritional status, but it might not be as immediate a concern as serum osmolarity.
Choice C
Serum osmolarity reflects the concentration of particles (such as electrolytes, glucose, and other solutes) in the blood. Monitoring serum osmolarity is importantto prevent complications related to fluid and electrolyte imbalances that can arise from the administration of TPN.Blood glucose levels (option D) are more critical because TPN can significantly impact glucose metabolism
Choice D
When caring for a client receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN), the nurse’spriorityis tomonitor blood glucose levels. TPN can affect blood glucose, and observing for signs of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia is crucial.Additionally, administering insulin as directed based on blood glucose levels is essential.

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