Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has a NG tube and is receiving intermittent feedings through an open system. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

a. rinse feeding bag with water between feedings
b. tell the client to keep the HOB elevated at least 30
c. make sure enteral feeding is at room temp
d. wipe the top of the formula can w/ alcohol

Answer 1

The nurse should first instruct the client to keep the head of the bed elevated when receiving intermittent feedings through an open system with a NG tube.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should first tell the client to keep the head of the bed (HOB) elevated at least 30 degrees when receiving intermittent feedings through an open system with a nasogastric (NG) tube. This is important to prevent the risk of aspiration, as the elevated HOB helps to keep the formula from flowing back up into the esophagus and causing potential harm to the client.

Although other actions, such as rinsing the feeding bag with water between feedings and ensuring that the enteral feeding is at room temperature, are important, they are not the priority in this situation. Wiping the top of the formula can with alcohol is also not necessary in this scenario. Therefore, the nurse should first focus on instructing the client to keep the HOB elevated.