A patient is mechanically ventilated and is receiving enteral nutrition via a nasogastric tube. To help ensure feeding tolerance, the nurse checks residual volumes every 4 hours. During a residual check later in the shift, the nurse aspirates a total residual volume of 200 mL. What action should the nurse take next?

A. History of type 2 diabetes is not a rhythm characteristic seen on an ECG. While diabetes can contribute to the development of cardiovascular issues, it does not specifically describe the characteristics of a third-degree AV block on an ECG.
B. Interval and RR interval are irregular is incorrect. In third-degree AV block (also known as complete heart block), the atrial rate and ventricular rate are typically regular, but the atrial and ventricular rhythms are completely dissociated.
C. Shortened PR interval is incorrect. In third-degree AV block, there is no consistent PR interval because the atria and ventricles are functioning independently.
D. Inconsistently shaped P waves is incorrect. P waves may appear normal, but the relationship between P waves and QRS complexes is lost in third-degree AV block.
E. PR interval is constant is incorrect. In third-degree AV block, the PR interval is inconsistent or absent, as the atrial and ventricular rates are independent of each other.
F. Apical heart rate is irrelevant here. The ECG will show the characteristic findings of third-degree AV block rather than focusing on apical heart rate alone.
G. Fewer QRS complexes than P waves is correct. In third-degree AV block, the atrial impulses (P waves) are conducted normally, but the ventricles are completely dissociated from the atrial rhythm, leading to fewer QRS complexes than P waves, as the ventricles may be paced by an escape rhythm.
H. PP interval is equal to RR interval is not necessarily true in third-degree AV block. The PP and RR intervals may be different depending on the escape rhythm, but they are not usually exactly equal.

A. The head of the bed should be elevated to at least 30 degrees to reduce the risk of aspiration, not 45 degrees.
B. Enteral feeding is typically preferred over TPN because it preserves gut integrity and reduces the risk of complications such as infections.
C. Lipid intake should generally be monitored and controlled, but greater than 2 g/kg/day is not recommended and may lead to complications such as hyperlipidemia.
D. Excessive calorie intake, particularly from carbohydrates, can increase carbon dioxide production, leading to a rise in PaCO2 levels in mechanically ventilated patients.