A client with a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube is receiving continuous enteral nutrition. The practical nurse (PN) responds to the client's coughing and observes them struggling to breathe, with formula pooling in their mouth. A quick check of the feeding pump reveals it was incorrectly programmed to infuse at 150 mL/hr instead of the prescribed 50 mL/hr. Arrange the following actions in the priority sequence the PN should perform them to manage this error and ensure client safety.
- 1Immediately turn off the continuous enteral feeding infusion pump.
- 2Turn the client to a lateral (side-lying) position.
- 3Suction the client's oral cavity to remove the visible enteral formula.
- 4Obtain the client's oxygen saturation level and a full set of vital signs.
- 5Notify the registered nurse (RN) and the prescribing provider of the event and assessment findings.
Answer
The correct priority sequence is to first turn off the enteral feeding pump, then turn the client to a lateral side-lying position, suction the oral cavity, obtain vital signs including oxygen saturation, and finally notify the RN and prescribing provider.
The correct sequence prioritizes the principles of basic life support and error management: mitigate the source of the injury, secure the airway, collect objective data, and then communicate the findings. Stopping the pump instantly halts the hazardous situation. Positioning laterally and suctioning prevent the immediate life-threatening complication of aspiration pneumonia. Finally, obtaining vital signs provides the necessary clinical data to effectively notify the RN and healthcare provider of the client's status.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Immediate management of a medication/feeding administration error by prioritizing basic airway support and data collection before escalation.