A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has cholecystitis about required dietary modifications. The nurse should include which of the following foods as appropriate for the client's diet.

Choice Arationale:
Applying low intermittent suction is used for nasogastric tube management to remove excess air or gastric contents and is not directly related to addressing cramping and abdominal distention. This action doesn't address the underlying issue.

Choice Brationale:
Increasing the rate of feeding is not the appropriate action to take in response to cramping and abdominal distention. It might worsen the discomfort and potentially overload the client's gastrointestinal system, leading to more issues.

Choice C rationale:
(Correct Choice) Checking for gastric residual is the appropriate action in this scenario. Cramping and abdominal distention can indicate delayed gastric emptying, which might be caused by an accumulation of feeding within the stomach. By checking for gastric residual, the nurse can assess whether there is a significant amount of residual feeding present, which might require adjusting the feeding rate or intervention.
Choice D rationale:
Requesting a higher-fat formula is not the initial action to take when the client reports cramping and abdominal distention. It assumes that the discomfort is due to the formula's composition, which might not be the case. First, assessing for gastric residual and considering other factors is important before changing the formula.

Choice A rationale:
Obtaining the client's electrolyte levels every 4 hours is not standard practice when initiating continuous enteral feedings via a gastrostomy tube. While monitoring electrolytes is important, it's not done at such a high frequency unless there's a specific indication or concern.
Choice B rationale:
Measuring the client's gastric residual every 12 hours is a crucial action when initiating continuous enteral feedings. Gastric residual volume helps to assess the client's tolerance to the feeding, the rate of digestion and absorption, and the risk of aspiration. If the residual volume is too high, it could indicate feeding intolerance or delayed gastric emptying.

Choice Crationale:
Keeping the client's head elevated at 15 degrees during feedings is not standard practice for continuous enteral feedings. This angle could potentially promote reflux and increase the risk of aspiration. Instead, the head of the bed is usually elevated at least 30 degrees to help prevent reflux and aspiration.

Choice Drationale:
Flushing the client's tube with 30 mL of water every 4 hours is not a standard practice for continuous enteral feedings. Flushing the tube helps maintain its patency, but it's usually done before and after medication administration or as needed to prevent clogs, not on such a frequent schedule.