Which symptom experienced by a client receiving a continuous enteral feeding via a nasogastric tube requires priority follow-up by the nurse?
The client has frequent coughing spells.
The client reports mild abdominal cramps.
The client has high-pitched bowel sounds.
The client reports one to two soft bowel movements per day.
The Correct Answer is A
This is because coughing can indicate aspiration of the feeding into the lungs, which can lead to pneumonia and other serious complications. Aspiration is reported in up to 89% of patients receiving nasogastric tube feeding.
Therefore, the nurse should prioritize assessing the client for signs of aspiration and ensuring proper tube placement.
Choice B is wrong because mild abdominal cramps are a common side effect of nasogastric tube feeding and do not require immediate intervention unless they are severe or persistent.
Choice C is wrong because high-pitched bowel sounds are normal and indicate peristalsis and digestion.
They do not indicate a problem with the tube feeding.
Choice D is wrong because one to two soft bowel movements per day are desirable and indicate adequate nutrition and hydration.
They do not indicate a problem with the tube feeding.
Normal ranges for gastric residual volume are less than 200 mL for adults and less than 100 mL for children. Normal ranges for pH of gastric aspirate are 1 to 5.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Notify the health care provider to report and anticipate new orders.
This is because an oral temperature of 100.8° F (38.2° C) indicates a fever, which could be a sign of infection or inflammation in an elderly client.
A fever of this magnitude could also cause dehydration, confusion, or seizures in older adults.
Therefore, the nurse should notify the health care provider as soon as possible to determine the cause and treatment of the fever.
Choice B is wrong because covering the client with an additional blanket could increase the body temperature and worsen the fever.
The UAP should not recheck the temperature in two hours, but rather monitor it more frequently and report any changes to the nurse.
Choice C is wrong because charting the temperature on the vital signs sheet and reporting to the new shift coming on is not enough to address the urgency of the situation.
The nurse has a responsibility to act on abnormal findings and communicate them to the health care provider.
Choice D is wrong because assessing the client’s temperature rectally and comparing the results is not necessary and could cause discomfort or injury to the client.
Rectal temperatures are usually higher than oral temperatures by about 0.5° F (0.3° C), so this would not change the interpretation of the fever.
The normal range for oral temperature in adults is 97.6° F to 99.6° F (36.4° C to 37.6° C).
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A client who grimaces during a dressing change is showing a nonverbal sign of pain. Grimacing is an expression of facial muscles that indicates discomfort or distress.
The nurse should record this as a symptom of pain and ask the client to rate the pain using a numeric or visual scale.
Choice B is wrong because an elevated heart rate while exercising is not necessarily a symptom of pain. It could be a normal response to increased physical activity or a sign of other conditions such as anxiety, dehydration, or fever.
Choice C is wrong because crying during a procedure is not a reliable indicator of pain. Crying is an emotional response that can be influenced by many factors such as fear, stress, or sadness.
The nurse should not assume that the client is in pain based on crying alone and should ask the client about the reason for crying and the level of pain.
Choice D is wrong because saying “I feel achy all over” is not a specific description of pain.
Aching is a vague term that can refer to different sensations such as soreness, stiffness, or cramping.
The nurse should ask the client to clarify what kind of pain they are feeling, where it is located, how severe it is, and what makes it better or worse.
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