Question

A nurse is updating a plan of care for a patient who is receiving intermittent enteral feedings and is experiencing diarrhea. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?

A.) Discard the client's opened cans of formula within 48 hours

B.) Administer the client's formula cold.

C.) Feed the client in small, frequent volumes.

D.) Consider a low-calorie formula for the client.

Answer 1

The nurse should include the intervention of feeding the client in small, frequent volumes in the plan of care for a patient who is experiencing diarrhea while receiving intermittent enteral feedings. This helps to prevent overloading the gastrointestinal system and can decrease the likelihood of exacerbating the diarrhea.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should include the intervention of feeding the client in small, frequent volumes in the plan of care for a patient who is experiencing diarrhea while receiving intermittent enteral feedings. This helps to prevent overloading the gastrointestinal system and can decrease the likelihood of exacerbating the diarrhea. By providing small, frequent amounts of formula, the patient's body can better absorb and tolerate the nutrients.

It is important to note that discarding the client's opened cans of formula within 48 hours is a general recommendation for food safety but may not directly address the issue of diarrhea in this particular case. Administering the client's formula cold may not be optimal as room temperature or slightly warmed formula is often more comfortable and better tolerated. Considering a low-calorie formula may not be necessary unless there are specific indications for reducing caloric intake.