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 A
Explanation
A. Avoid replacing the NG tube if it is accidentally dislodged:After a gastrectomy, improper placement or reinsertion of the NG tube can disrupt the surgical site, leading to complications such as bleeding, leakage, or perforation. If the tube is accidentally dislodged, the nurse should notify the surgeon or provider, as reinsertions in postoperative gastric surgery clients are typically performed under their direction.
B. Irrigate the blue pigtail port with sterile saline:The blue pigtail port (air vent) of a double-lumen NG tube (e.g., Salem sump) should not be irrigated with saline because it functions as an air vent to prevent suction from damaging the stomach lining.
C. Verify tube placement by injecting air into the larger lumen:Injecting air to verify NG tube placement is no longer considered a reliable or evidence-based practice. Placement should be verified by other methods, such as aspiration of gastric contents, pH testing, or radiographic confirmation, especially in postoperative clients.
D. Avoid the nares when providing hygiene care:Hygiene care for the nares is essential to prevent skin breakdown and discomfort in clients with an NG tube. Neglecting the nares could lead to excoriation, pressure injuries, or infection.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Prior to percussing the abdomen:Auscultation should be performed before percussing or palpating the abdomen. Percussion and palpation can alter bowel activity, potentially leading to inaccurate assessment of bowel sounds.
B. Prior to inspecting the abdomen:Inspection should always be performed before auscultation when assessing the abdomen. This allows the nurse to observe any visible abnormalities, such as distention or skin changes, without altering bowel activity. Auscultation should follow inspection.
C. After checking for kidney tenderness:Checking for kidney tenderness (e.g., costovertebral angle tenderness) involves percussing the back and is not part of the sequence of a standard abdominal exam. It does not precede auscultation.
D. After palpating the abdomen:
Palpation can stimulate or alter bowel sounds, potentially leading to an inaccurate assessment. Therefore, auscultation should always occur before palpation.
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.
