A nurse is assisting with teaching a client who is on a soft diet.
Which of the following foods should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A rationale

Hyperresonance is a booming sound elicited during percussion, typically heard over hyperinflated lung tissue, such as in emphysema or pneumothorax. In the abdominal assessment, hyperresonance is generally not an expected finding and may indicate gaseous distension.

Choice B rationale

Flatness is a dull, very soft sound with a short duration, usually heard over dense tissues such as bone or muscle. In the abdomen, flatness is not a typical percussion sound and might be elicited over a large tumor or organomegaly.

Choice C rationale

Dullness is a thud-like sound with a medium intensity and duration, typically heard over solid organs such as the liver, spleen, or a distended bladder. In the abdominal assessment, dullness is an expected finding over these organs.

Choice D rationale

Resonance is a hollow sound of moderate duration and low pitch, typically heard over normal lung tissue. Resonance is not an expected percussion sound in the abdominal assessment; tympany and dullness are the predominant sounds.

Choice E rationale

Tympany is a drum-like sound with high pitch and longer duration, commonly heard over air-filled structures such as the stomach and intestines. Tympany is the predominant percussion sound expected over most of the abdomen due to the presence of gas in the gastrointestinal tract.

Choice A rationale

Checking gastric residual volume is essential before administering enteral feedings and medications to assess for delayed gastric emptying, which could increase the risk of aspiration. A high residual volume (typically >500 mL or >250 mL on two consecutive checks) may indicate intolerance to the feeding.

Choice B rationale

Turning the client on their left side after administering enteral feedings and medications is not the recommended position. The right lateral decubitus position is preferred as it promotes gastric emptying by allowing gravity to assist the flow of the feeding into the small intestine.

Choice C rationale

Elevating the head of the bed to a 30-45 degree angle during and for at least 30-60 minutes after enteral feedings significantly reduces the risk of aspiration pneumonia. This position utilizes gravity to help keep the feeding within the stomach and prevent reflux into the esophagus and airway.

Choice D rationale

Leaving the client in their position of comfort while feeding them is incorrect. Maintaining an elevated head of bed position (30-45 degrees) is crucial during and after feeding to prevent aspiration, regardless of the client's perceived comfort. A flat or semi-recumbent position increases the risk of regurgitation and subsequent aspiration into the lungs.