A nurse is preparing to administer an intermittent enteral feeding to a client via a nasogastric (NG) tube. Arrange the following steps in the correct order of performance from first to last.
- 1Elevate the head of the client's bed to at least 30 to 45 degrees.
- 2Verify the correct placement of the nasogastric tube.
- 3Aspirate and measure the client's gastric residual volume.
- 4Administer the prescribed enteral feeding formula.
- 5Flush the nasogastric tube with 30 mL of water.
Answer
The correct sequence is to first position the client safely by elevating the head of the bed, then verify the tube's placement, check the gastric residual volume, administer the feeding formula, and finally flush the tube with water.
The standard sequence for enteral feeding administration prioritizes safety and aspiration prevention above all else. Proper positioning is the most immediate physical safeguard and must be done first. Verifying placement ensures the tube is currently residing in the stomach and not the lungs. Checking the residual volume assesses the client's current digestion and tolerance. Only after these critical safety checks are completed is the feeding administered. Finally, flushing clears the tube to maintain patency for future use.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Safe administration sequence for enteral tube feedings