A terminally ill patient receiving tube feedings has developed a productive cough and increasing shortness of breath. Which of the following should the nurse do?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is demonstrating signs of aspiration by a productive cough and increasing shortness of breath. The nurse should stop the tube feeding, raise the head of the bed, and report the patient's status. There is an increased risk of aspiration with tube displacement in the patient who is terminally ill. The nurse should not lower the patient's head of the bed. The tube feedings should be stopped but the head of the bed should be kept elevated. The nurse should not continue the feedings with the head of the bed lowered. The rate of the tube feedings should not be slowed; rather, the tube feeding should be stopped.

A Terminally Ill Patient Receiving Tube Feedings Has Developed a Productive