Question

the nurse is providing care to a client who is receiving enteral feedings via a nasogastric tube. what serious complication would the nurse take measure to prevent?

Answer 1

The nurse must prevent serious complications like aspiration pneumonia and health care-associated infections when caring for a client receiving enteral feedings via a nasogastric tube. Proper positioning, verifying tube placement, and maintaining hygiene are essential steps in this process.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse providing care to a client with a nasogastric tube aims to prevent serious complications, one of which is aspiration pneumonia. This condition can arise if the feeding solution enters the lungs instead of the stomach, leading to a severe lung infection. Measures to prevent this include proper positioning of the patient, verifying tube placement before feedings, and monitoring the client closely during and after the feeding process. It is also crucial to maintain hygiene and use aseptic techniques to prevent health care-associated infections, similar to how Dr. Gawande and Dr. Pronovost emphasized strict adherence to protocol to reduce infections related to central lines.

Other serious complications that the nurse would work to prevent include tube displacement, gastrointestinal disturbances (like diarrhea or constipation), and electrolyte imbalances. Each of these complications can negatively impact a client's recovery, and therefore, diligent nursing care is critical.