Question

A charge nurse is observing a newly licensed nurse administer enteral feedings via NG tube. Which of the following actions by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the procedure?

A) Administers the feeding quickly to minimize discomfort
B) Raises the head of the bed to at least 45 degrees before administering the feeding
C) Flushes the tube with medication immediately after administering the feeding
D) Administers the feeding at room temperature to prevent irritation

Answer 1

The correct action by the newly licensed nurse is to raise the head of the bed to at least 45 degrees before administering the enteral feeding via an NG tube to prevent aspiration.

Step-by-step explanation:

The action by the newly licensed nurse that indicates an understanding of the procedure for administering enteral feedings via a nasogastric (NG) tube is raising the head of the bed to at least 45 degrees before administering the feeding. This helps prevent aspiration, which can occur if the patient is lying flat or at a low angle while receiving the enteral feeding. Aspiration is a potential risk because it can lead to pneumonia or other serious complications.