Before administering feeding via a nasogastric tube, what should the nurse consider regarding the client's residual volume?

Before administering feeding via a nasogastric tube, what should the nurse consider regarding the client's residual volume?

• A. It should always be discarded
• B. It can be reinfused after measurement
• C. It is not important to check
• D. It can indicate bowel obstruction

Answer: (B)

When considering residual volume before administering feeding via a nasogastric tube, it is important to recognize that the measurement of residual volume can provide valuable information about the patient’s gastrointestinal function. Option B, which states that it can be reinfused after measurement, reflects a common practice in nursing care. If the residual volume is within an acceptable range, reinfusing it can help maintain the patient’s fluid and electrolyte balance, and ensure that necessary nutrients aren’t unnecessarily wasted. This practice acknowledges that the stomach may contain digestive remnants and that these can still contain valuable nutrients. Furthermore, it prevents unnecessary loss of gastric contents, promoting better nutritional support for the patient. Additionally, understanding the implications of residual volume can also guide the nurse in making clinical decisions about the next steps in feeding. For instance, if the residual volume is high, it may indicate that the patient is not tolerating feeds well, which could require further assessment or adjustment in feeding strategies. On the other hand, discarding residual volume without measurement or consideration ignores potentially critical information about the patient’s condition. Not checking residual volume may miss signs of intolerance or complications such as bowel obstruction, making it a vital step in the feeding process. Thus, being aware of and properly managing residual volumes

When considering residual volume before administering feeding via a nasogastric tube, it is important to recognize that the measurement of residual volume can provide valuable information about the patient’s gastrointestinal function. Option B, which states that it can be reinfused after measurement, reflects a common practice in nursing care.

If the residual volume is within an acceptable range, reinfusing it can help maintain the patient’s fluid and electrolyte balance, and ensure that necessary nutrients aren’t unnecessarily wasted. This practice acknowledges that the stomach may contain digestive remnants and that these can still contain valuable nutrients. Furthermore, it prevents unnecessary loss of gastric contents, promoting better nutritional support for the patient.

Additionally, understanding the implications of residual volume can also guide the nurse in making clinical decisions about the next steps in feeding. For instance, if the residual volume is high, it may indicate that the patient is not tolerating feeds well, which could require further assessment or adjustment in feeding strategies.

On the other hand, discarding residual volume without measurement or consideration ignores potentially critical information about the patient’s condition. Not checking residual volume may miss signs of intolerance or complications such as bowel obstruction, making it a vital step in the feeding process. Thus, being aware of and properly managing residual volumes