The nurse assumes care of a patient who has been receiving ...

[ss2343]

The nurse assumes care of a patient who has been receiving intermittent enteral feedings of 240 mL of Osmolite every 4 hours for the past 48 hours. The patient is in bed with the head of the bed elevated 60 degrees.
 
  The enteral tubing is intact, and the enteral pump is infusing at 360 mL per hour. The nurse notes 60 mL of solution left in the bag. The tubing is not labeled. What will the nurse do?
  a. Change and label the enteral tubing when this infusion is complete.
  b. Increase the infusion rate to 480 mL per hour to complete the infusion.
  c. Lower the head of the bed to 30 degrees.
  d. Stop the infusion and check for residual before resuming the infusion.

Question 2

The nurse dilutes an antibiotic before administering it through a patient's nasogastric tube. The patient asks why this is necessary. The nurse explains that diluting the antibiotic helps to
 
  a. improve absorption.
  b. improve hydration.
  c. prevent diarrhea.
  d. prevent emboli.

[fraziera112]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
All enteral equipment should be labeled and changed every 24 hours. Since the tubing is not labeled, the nurse should change and label it as soon as the current infusion is complete. The infusion is set so that 240 mL will infuse over 45 minutes, which is appropriate, so the rate does not need to be increased. The head of the bed should be at least 30 degrees, so there is no need to lower the head of the bed. The nurse should check for residual just prior to administering the next infusion, but it is not indicated at this point.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Liquid medication must be properly diluted when given through a feeding tube because most liquid medications are hyperosmolar and can cause abdominal distention, cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea. Diluting the liquid medication does not change absorption, improve overall hydration, or prevent embolus formation.

[ss2343]

Thank you!

[fraziera112]

Always glad to help...