Enteral Nutrition: Types and Safety

Which action is most crucial for the RN to undertake to ensure the safe and accurate administration of prescribed enteral feedings?

Why is it essential to avoid mixing medications directly into the enteral feeding formula?

When reviewing a client's medical record prior to administering enteral nutrition, which laboratory values would be most important for the nurse to note to ensure client safety and efficacy of the feeding?

Before initiating an enteral feeding, the nurse assesses the client for gastrointestinal function alterations. Which finding would necessitate delaying the feeding and immediately notifying the provider?

The nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding via a nasogastric tube. After confirming the provider's order and gathering supplies, what is the MOST important step to take prior to initiating the feeding?

What is the rationale behind elevating the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees before and during the administration of enteral feeding?

After confirming the correct placement of a nasogastric tube, the nurse aspirates gastric contents to measure the pH. What pH reading would indicate appropriate placement of the tube in the stomach?

Why is it important to flush the feeding tube with 30 to 50 mL of water before and after administering an enteral feeding?

When administering an enteral feeding via syringe, what technique should the nurse employ to ensure the client's safety and tolerance of the feeding?

Following the administration of an enteral feeding, what is the recommended position for the client and why?

What special consideration should the nurse keep in mind when administering enteral nutrition to neonatal and pediatric clients?

A client receiving continuous enteral feedings suddenly develops signs of aspiration, including decreased oxygen saturation, coughing, and wheezing. What is the priority nursing intervention?

During continuous enteral feeding, the nurse discovers that the feeding tube is obstructed. Initial attempts to flush the tube with warm water are unsuccessful. What is the MOST appropriate next step?

While administering an enteral feeding, the nurse inadvertently connects the enteral tubing to the client’s IV catheter. What is the immediate next step the nurse should take?

When documenting enteral feeding administration, what information is essential to include in the client's medical record to ensure comprehensive and accurate data?

What is the primary rationale for changing enteral feeding bags and tubing every 24 hours?

What should the nurse do with the enteral feeding bag after spiking it but before connecting it to the feeding tube?

A nurse is caring for a patient receiving enteral nutrition and notes the patient has developed diarrhea. What is the most appropriate initial nursing intervention?

When initiating enteral nutrition for a patient, what is the importance of starting with a lower rate and gradually increasing it?

What is the most reliable method to verify the correct placement of a nasogastric tube immediately after insertion and before initiating enteral feeding?

A patient receiving enteral nutrition develops a fever, and the nurse suspects a possible infection. What is the most appropriate and immediate nursing action?

A home health nurse is teaching a patient's family how to administer enteral feedings. What is the most critical instruction to emphasize regarding infection control?

What is the most effective intervention to prevent aspiration in a patient receiving intermittent bolus enteral feedings?

In a patient receiving continuous enteral nutrition, which electrolyte imbalance is the nurse most vigilant about monitoring?

When administering medications through an enteral feeding tube, why is it essential to flush the tube before and after medication administration?

A nurse is assessing a patient receiving enteral nutrition and notes edema in the lower extremities. What potential complication should the nurse suspect?

What is the most important consideration when selecting the type of enteral formula for a patient?

In a patient with a J-tube, what is a major difference in administration compared to a G-tube?

When assessing a patient's tolerance to enteral feeding, what is the significance of monitoring abdominal distension?

What is the correct procedure if a patient receiving continuous enteral feeding needs to go for a diagnostic test such as a CT scan?

A child is ordered to receive an enteral feeding. What is the most appropriate way to verify tube placement?

Parents are preparing to administer enteral feeding at home. Which instruction is most important to emphasize regarding formula preparation and handling?

A patient with a history of recurrent aspiration pneumonia is prescribed enteral nutrition. What is the most appropriate strategy to minimize the risk of further aspiration events?

A patient receiving enteral nutrition develops hyperglycemia. What intervention is most appropriate for the nurse to implement first?

During the administration of enteral feeding, a nurse observes that the client's gastric residual volume is significantly higher than the established threshold. What is the MOST appropriate nursing intervention based on this finding?

A patient receiving continuous enteral nutrition develops new onset hyperglycemia. After notifying the physician, the nurse anticipates which order?

The nurse is caring for a client receiving enteral nutrition via a gastrostomy tube. The client reports discomfort at the insertion site, and the nurse observes redness and a small amount of purulent drainage. Which of the following interventions is the MOST appropriate initial action?

A nurse is preparing to administer medications via a client's enteral feeding tube. Which of the following nursing actions demonstrates a correct understanding of medication administration through this route?

A patient with a history of frequent aspiration pneumonia is prescribed continuous enteral feedings. Which strategy is MOST crucial for the nurse to implement to reduce the risk of aspiration?