A nurse is caring for a client who is malnourished. The client states, "When I do eat, I usually just eat bread and butter to get someth“ng in me." The nurse should recognize that the client is a risk for which ”f following complications?

A) Measure the client's gastric residual every 12 hr: While monitoring gastric residual volume is important to prevent complications such as aspiration or gastric distention, it is typically done prior to each intermittent feeding, not every 12 hours for clients receiving continuous enteral feedings. Continuous feeding does not necessitate less frequent monitoring of gastric residuals.

B) Keep the client's head elevated at 15° during feedings: Elevating the client's head during feedings helps reduce the risk of aspiration. However, this action is not specific to initiating continuous enteral feedings and should be maintained throughout the client's enteral feeding regimen.

C) Obtain the client's electrolyte levels every 4 hr: Monitoring electrolyte levels every 4 hours is not necessary as part of routine care for a client initiating continuous enteral feedings. While electrolyte levels may be monitored periodically, the frequency would depend on the client's clinical condition and the healthcare provider's orders.

D) Flush the client's tube with 30 mL of water every 4 hr: Flushing the client's tube with water helps maintain patency and prevent clogging, which is especially important for clients receiving continuous enteral feedings. This action helps ensure that the tube remains clear and functional, allowing for uninterrupted delivery of the enteral feeding solution.

C) Cephalhematoma:

A cephalhematoma is a collection of blood between the skull bone and its periosteum. It appears as a raised, bruised area on the scalp and is typically limited by suture lines. Unlike caput succedaneum, which typically resolves within a few days and crosses suture lines, a cephalhematoma does not cross suture lines and may take weeks to months to resolve.

A) Caput succedaneum:

Caput succedaneum is a localized swelling of the soft tissues of the scalp, usually resulting from pressure against the dilating cervix during labor. It typically crosses suture lines and resolves within a few days.

B) Pilonidal dimple:

A pilonidal dimple is a small pit or sinus in the sacrococcygeal area, not related to scalp findings.

D) Molding:

Molding refers to the shaping of the fetal head to adapt to the birth canal during labor and delivery. It is a temporary deformity and does not involve bruising or raised areas on the scalp.