The nurse is concerned about pulmonary aspiration when providing her patient with tube feedings.The nurse should
A) Verify tube placement before feeding.
B) Lower the head of the bed to a supine position.
C) Add blue food coloring to the enteral formula.
D) Run the formula over 12 hours to decrease volume.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A major cause of pulmonary aspiration is regurgitation of formula.The nurse needs to verify tube placement and elevate the head of the bed 30 to 45 degrees during feedings and for 2 hours afterward.The addition of blue food coloring to enteral formula to assist with detection of aspirate is no longer used.Do not hang formula longer than 4 to 8 hours.Formula becomes a medium for bacterial growth after that length of time.

The Nurse Is Concerned About Pulmonary Aspiration When Providing Her