A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has a gastrostomy tube through which he is receiving continuous enteral feedings. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
Keep the head of the bed elevated at 15 degrees.
Place enough formula in the feeding bag to last for 8 hr of continuous feeding
Flush the tube with 30 ml of water every 4 hr.
Change the feeding bag and tubing every 72 hr.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Keep the head of the bed elevated at 15 degrees.
This is not sufficient for preventing aspiration and ensuring proper digestion. The head of the bed should be elevated at least 30 degrees to reduce the risk of aspiration and promote better digestion of enteral feedings.
B. Place enough formula in the feeding bag to last for 8 hr of continuous feeding: It is recommended to change the feeding formula and bag every 24 hours. Placing formula for an extended period can increase the risk of bacterial growth.
C. Flush the tube with 30 ml of water every 4 hr: Regular flushing of the tube helps maintain patency, prevents clogging, and ensures proper hydration. Flushing every 4 hours is a standard practice for continuous feeding.
D. Change the feeding bag and tubing every 72 hr: Feeding bags and tubing should be changed more frequently, typically every 24 hours, to reduce the risk of infection.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Check the client for a positive Chvostek’s sign:
Chvostek's sign is a clinical sign of hypocalcemia, not related to the given laboratory values. The symptoms include facial muscle twitching when the facial nerve (VII) is tapped. There's no indication for this assessment based on the provided information.
B. Discontinue the TPN infusion:
The glucose level is within the normal range (70-99 mg/dL). Discontinuing TPN based solely on this glucose level is not warranted.
C. Request a potassium replacement:
The potassium level is low (normal range typically 3.5-5.0 mEq/L). Given the low potassium level, the nurse should plan to request a potassium replacement. Potassium is crucial for various physiological functions, and a deficiency can lead to significant complications.
D. Administer glucagon IM:
Glucagon is used to treat hypoglycemia, but the client's glucose level is within the normal range, so administering glucagon is not indicated.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Obtain the client's vital signs:
Vital signs are essential for assessing the client's overall condition and can provide crucial information about the client's stability. However, in this scenario, there's a higher priority nursing action that needs immediate attention.
B. Weigh the client:
Daily weight measurement is important, especially in postoperative patients, to monitor for fluid retention or loss. However, this is not the most urgent action in this situation.
C. Change the client's dressing:
Changing the dressing involves maintaining the surgical site's cleanliness and preventing infections. While this is important, it's not the highest priority in this situation.
D. Administer pain medication:
Correct Choice. Addressing the client's pain is a priority to ensure their comfort and well-being, especially postoperatively. Managing pain effectively is crucial for the client's recovery and can facilitate other necessary activities, such as changing the dressing or weighing the client.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
