A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving intermittent enteral feedings. Which of the following is the first action the nurse should take?
Measure the client's gastric residual before each feeding.
Change the bag and tubing every 24 hr.
Document intake and output.
Flush the tubing with 30 mL of water after each feeding.
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is Choice A - Measure the client's gastric residual before each feeding.
Choice A rationale:
The nurse's first action in caring for a client receiving intermittent enteral feedings should be to measure the client's gastric residual before each feeding. Gastric residual volume helps assess the client's tolerance to enteral feedings and can indicate delayed gastric emptying or potential complications like aspiration. If the residual volume is high, the nurse can collaborate with the healthcare team to determine whether to hold the feeding, adjust the feeding rate, or take other appropriate actions to ensure the client's safety and optimal nutritional status.
Choice B rationale:
Changing the enteral feeding bag and tubing every 24 hours is important to maintain the sterility and integrity of the feeding system. However, it is not the first action the nurse should take. The priority is to assess the client's tolerance to the feeding by measuring gastric residuals, which helps prevent complications.
Choice C rationale:
Documenting intake and output is a crucial aspect of nursing care for all clients, including those receiving enteral feedings. However, in the context of intermittent enteral feedings, measuring gastric residuals before each feeding is a more immediate and specific action to ensure the client's safety and well-being.
Choice D rationale:
Flushing the tubing with 30 mL of water after each feeding is important to prevent clogging and maintain the patency of the enteral feeding tube. However, this action is secondary to measuring gastric residuals, which directly assesses the client's tolerance to the feedings and helps prevent complications.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice C: 3+ pitting edema.
Choice A rationale:
1+ pitting edema refers to mild pitting edema. It is characterized by a slight indentation that disappears rapidly. A measurement of 6 mm edema is beyond the scope of 1+ pitting edema.
Choice B rationale:
2+ pitting edema indicates moderate pitting edema. It is characterized by a deeper indentation that takes a few seconds to rebound. While 6 mm edema might be associated with 2+ pitting edema, it is not the most accurate description.
Choice C rationale:
3+ pitting edema signifies moderately severe pitting edema. It is characterized by a noticeable indentation that remains for a short duration. A measurement of 6 mm edema aligns with 3+ pitting edema, making it the correct choice.
Choice D rationale:
4+ pitting edema represents severe pitting edema. It is characterized by a deep indentation that persists for a significant amount of time. 6 mm edema is not typically associated with 4+ pitting edema.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
"You will need to sign a consent form before we begin the procedure." Rationale: While obtaining consent is an essential part of many medical procedures, including a bladder scan, it is not specific to the teaching related to the procedure itself. It addresses the legal and ethical aspect of the procedure but doesn't instruct the client on what to expect during the procedure.
Choice B rationale:
"I will place a gel pad directly above your pubic area before I place the probe." Rationale: This is the correct choice. Placing a gel pad above the pubic area before using the probe is an important step in ensuring proper ultrasound transmission and obtaining accurate results during a bladder scan. The gel pad helps to eliminate air gaps that could interfere with the quality of the scan.
Choice C rationale:
"You will need to hold your urine for 1 hour prior to the procedure." Rationale: Holding urine for an hour before a bladder scan might be required to ensure that the bladder is adequately filled for the scan, but it doesn't address the specific preparation related to the ultrasound procedure itself.
Choice D rationale:
"You will receive a contrast dye through an IV catheter prior to the scan." Rationale: Mentioning contrast dye and IV catheter is not relevant to a bladder scan. Contrast dye is often used in imaging studies like CT scans or angiograms, but not for a routine bladder scan. Therefore, this instruction is unrelated to the procedure in question.
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