To decrease the risk of aspiration in patients with respiratory failure who need nutrition support, the health care provider should ____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Utilizing intestinal feeding, such as with a nasojejunal tube or a gastrostomy tube that is placed in the small intestine, can decrease the risk of aspiration because the feeding bypasses the stomach where gastric contents could potentially be aspirated into the lungs. This method can also decrease the risk of reflux and aspiration pneumonia. Choosing a formula enriched with vitamins A, C, and E does not directly address the risk of aspiration. Decreasing the amount of free water in the tube feeding can help with fluid management but does not necessarily decrease the risk of aspiration. Utilizing gastric feedings may increase the risk of aspiration in patients with respiratory failure due to the potential for gastric contents to enter the lungs.

To Decrease the Risk of Aspiration in Patients with Respiratory