The nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding to a patient who receives 300 mL of Isocal over 30 minutes every 4 hours. The nurse checks the residual prior to initiating the feeding and notes a residual amount of 50 mL of formula
Which action will the nurse take next?
a. Administer the feeding as ordered.
b. Administer the feeding over 60 minutes.
c. Hold the feeding and notify the patient's provider.
d. Wait 1 hour and recheck the residual again.
ANS: A
The nurse should determine gastric residual before each feeding when patients are receiving intermittent feedings. A residual greater than 50% of a previous feeding indicates delayed gastric emptying and warrants notifying the provider. This patient has a residual less than 50%, so the nurse may proceed with the next feeding. A residual of 50 mL is significant in patients receiving continuous enteral feedings. The nurse cannot change the rate of an enteral infusion without an order from the provider.
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