A nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding via an established NG tube. Identify the sequence the nurse should follow to initiate the feeding.
(Move the steps into the box on the right, placing them in the selected order of performance. Use all the steps.)
Verify tube placement.
Check the residual feeding contents.
Administer the feeding.
Evaluate tolerance to the feeding.
The Correct Answer is A,B,C,D
Choice A rationale
Verifying tube placement is the initial critical step to ensure the feeding is delivered into the gastrointestinal tract and not the respiratory system, thereby preventing aspiration. Methods for verification include pH testing of aspirate (target pH ≤ 5.5), and radiographic confirmation is the gold standard, especially after initial placement.
Choice B rationale
Checking the residual feeding contents before administering a new feeding is essential to assess the client's tolerance to the previous feeding and prevent overfeeding, which can lead to complications like abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, and aspiration. A high residual volume may indicate delayed gastric emptying.
Choice C rationale
Administering the feeding follows confirmation of tube placement and assessment of residual volume. The feeding should be administered at the prescribed rate and volume, ensuring the client receives adequate nutrition and hydration. The client should be positioned with the head of the bed elevated at least 30-45 degrees during and for at least 30-60 minutes after feeding to minimize aspiration risk.
Choice D rationale
Evaluating the client's tolerance to the feeding is an ongoing process that involves monitoring for signs and symptoms such as abdominal distension, pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or aspiration. This evaluation helps determine if the feeding regimen needs adjustment in terms of rate, volume, or formula.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Securing the tube and retesting the pH in one hour is insufficient to confirm correct placement. While a pH of 3 suggests gastric placement (normal gastric pH is typically 1.5 to 3.5), it doesn't definitively rule out placement in the respiratory tract or intestines, as these can occasionally have acidic pH levels. Delaying definitive confirmation could lead to serious complications if the tube is misplaced.
Choice B rationale
Inserting the tube an additional 1-2 inches and retesting the pH is not a reliable method for confirming placement. Advancing the tube further without radiographic confirmation could increase the risk of trauma to the gastrointestinal tract or even pulmonary aspiration if the initial placement was incorrect. pH testing alone is not conclusive.
Choice C rationale
Auscultating for the "swoosh" of air while injecting air into the NG tube is an outdated and unreliable method for confirming placement. The sound can be misleading and may be heard even if the tube is incorrectly positioned in the esophagus or lungs. This method does not provide definitive proof of gastric placement and poses a risk of aspiration.
Choice D rationale
Obtaining an x-ray is the gold standard for confirming nasogastric tube placement. Radiographic imaging allows for direct visualization of the tube's trajectory and ensures that the distal tip is correctly positioned in the stomach or duodenum. This method provides the most accurate and reliable confirmation, minimizing the risk of complications such as aspiration or misadministration of feedings and medications.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Abrupt cessation of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) can lead to a rapid decrease in blood glucose levels. While receiving TPN, the body is continuously supplied with glucose. When this external glucose source is suddenly removed, the pancreas may continue to secrete insulin at a rate higher than needed, resulting in hypoglycemia. Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia include sweating, tremors, confusion, and dizziness.
Choice B rationale
Hyperthermia, or elevated body temperature above the normal range of approximately 36.5°C to 37.5°C (97.7°F to 99.5°F), is not a typical complication following the discontinuation of TPN. Fever is usually associated with infection or inflammation, neither of which are a direct consequence of stopping TPN.
Choice C rationale
Flatulence, or the accumulation of gas in the digestive tract leading to bloating and the passage of gas, is related to dietary intake and digestive processes. Discontinuing TPN, which bypasses the digestive system, would not directly cause an increase in flatulence. In fact, digestive issues might improve once oral or enteral feeding resumes.
Choice D rationale
Tachycardia, an abnormally rapid heart rate (typically defined as above 100 beats per minute in adults), is not a direct physiological consequence of discontinuing TPN. While changes in fluid balance or electrolyte levels (which can occur with TPN but are monitored closely) could indirectly affect heart rate, hypoglycemia is a more immediate and direct risk upon TPN cessation.
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