A nurse is caring for a client who has a gastrostomy tube and is receiving enteral nutrition. The nurse should identify that which of the following complications represents the greatest risk to the client?

Choice A reason: "I should use butter for cooking vegetables." is not a correct statement, as butter is high in saturated fat and cholesterol, which can increase the risk of heart disease. The nurse should advise the client to use unsaturated oils, such as olive or canola oil, for cooking vegetables.

Choice B reason: "I will choose whole grain bread." is a correct statement, as whole grains are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals, which can lower the risk of heart disease. The nurse should encourage the client to choose whole grain bread over refined bread, and to consume at least three servings of whole grains per day.

Choice C reason: "I should decrease my sodium intake to 3.2 grams per day." is not a correct statement, as 3.2 grams of sodium is equivalent to 8 grams of salt, which is above the recommended limit of 6 grams of salt per day for adults. The nurse should instruct the client to reduce their sodium intake to less than 2.3 grams per day, or 1.5 grams per day if they have high blood pressure, and to avoid processed foods, canned foods, and table salt.

Choice D reason: "I will eat chicken with the skin." is not a correct statement, as chicken skin is high in saturated fat and cholesterol, which can increase the risk of heart disease. The nurse should suggest the client to remove the skin from chicken before eating, and to choose lean cuts of poultry, fish, or meat.

Choice A reason: Measuring the client's gastric residual every 12 hr is not frequent enough to monitor the feeding tolerance and prevent aspiration. The nurse should measure the gastric residual before each intermittent feeding or every 4 to 6 hr during continuous feeding¹².

Choice B reason: Flushing the client's tube with 30 mL of water every 4 hr is an appropriate action to maintain the tube patency, prevent clogging, and hydrate the client. The nurse should flush the tube before and after each medication administration, feeding, or gastric residual check¹³.

Choice C reason: Keeping the client's head elevated at 15° during feedings is not sufficient to prevent reflux and aspiration. The nurse should elevate the head of the bed at least 30° to 45° during feedings and for at least 30 min to 1 hr after feedings¹⁴.

Choice D reason: Obtaining the client's electrolyte levels every 4 hr is not necessary unless the client has signs of fluid or electrolyte imbalance, such as edema, dehydration, or abnormal vital signs. The nurse should monitor the client's weight, intake and output, and laboratory values as ordered by the provider¹⁵.