Question

The head of the bed of a patient who is receiving enteral feedings is elevated to 45 degrees. Which complication associated with enteral feedings does this intervention help prevent?

Answer 1

Elevating the head of the bed to 45 degrees during enteral feedings helps prevent aspiration pneumonia by using gravity to reduce the risk of stomach contents entering the lungs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The elevation of the head of the bed to 45 degrees for a patient receiving enteral feedings is an intervention designed to help prevent the complication of aspiration pneumonia. This condition occurs when feed, liquids, or secretions are inhaled into the lungs, which can lead to a serious lung infection. The elevated position utilizes gravity to help keep the stomach contents from rising up to the esophagus and then being aspirated into the lungs, thus reducing the risk of this potentially life-threatening complication.