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 B
Explanation
Face the client while speaking and ask them to verify understanding. This intervention would help the client to read the nurse’s lips and confirm the message.
It would also show respect and empathy for the client’s condition.
Choice A is wrong because using exaggerated mouth and hand movements when speaking can be distracting and insulting to the client.
It can also distort the words and make them harder to understand.
Choice C is wrong because standing in front of a light when speaking to the client can create glare and make it difficult for the client to see the nurse’s face.
Touching the client to be sure they know where you are can be startling and unnecessary if the client is not visually impaired.
Choice D is wrong because obtaining an interpreter for sign language is inappropriate unless the client knows sign language.
Not all hearing-impaired clients use sign language, and some may prefer other methods of communication.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Notify the health care provider. The nurse should take this action first because the provider can prescribe appropriate interventions to prevent or minimize harm to the client.
The nurse should also inform the unit supervisor, document the error in the client’s medical record, and record the error on the appropriate quality improvement report, but these are not the priority actions.
Choice A is wrong because informing the unit supervisor is not the most urgent action. The supervisor can provide support and guidance to the nurse, but cannot prescribe interventions for the client.
Choice C is wrong because documenting the error in the client’s medical record is not the most urgent action.
The nurse should document the error after notifying the provider and assessing the client. Documentation should include the medication name, dose, route, time, client’s response, and actions taken.
Choice D is wrong because recording the error on the appropriate quality improvement report is not the most urgent action.
The nurse should record the error after notifying the provider and assessing the client. The report should include a factual description of what happened and what was done.
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