Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving continuous tube feedings via a gastrostomy tube. The client has had three loose stools in the last 4 hr. Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse anticipate?

Reposition the tube and verify placement.
Decrease the rate of the feeding.
Administer a prokinetic medication.
Irrigate the tubing with 30 mL of water.

Answer 1

The nurse should anticipate the instruction to decrease the rate of the feeding, which can help to manage the client's symptoms of diarrhea following continuous tube feedings.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question addresses the management of a patient experiencing diarrhea as a result of continuous tube feedings through a gastrostomy tube. When a patient has loose stools, particularly multiple times over a short period, it suggests that the gastrointestinal (GI) system may be reacting to the feeding, potentially due to the rate of feeding or the composition of the formula. In a clinical setting, a number of interventions might be considered. However, based on the context given, the most appropriate action that a nurse should anticipate is to decrease the rate of the feeding. This would help to reduce the osmotic load in the intestines and may alleviate symptoms. Other actions like repositioning the tube and verifying its placement may be necessary if misplaced tubing is suspected, or if there were concerns about tube obstruction, irrigation with water could be considered. However, these options are less likely to be directly related to the presentation of diarrhea. Administering a prokinetic medication is typically done to increase GI motility, which does not seem appropriate given the current symptoms of rapid stool passage.