Ch 44

A nurse is providing home care to a patient receiving intermittent tube feedings. The patient wants to take an over-the-counter allergy medication. The medication would need to be given via feeding tube because the patient has difficulty swallowing. The nurse checks the medication and finds that it is a timed-release tablet. Which action by the nurse would be most appropriate?

Check with the pharmacy for an alternative formulation for the drug.

The nurse observes dry mucous membranes in a client who is receiving tube feedings after an oral surgery. The client also complains of unpleasant tastes and odors. Which of the following measures should be included in the client's plan of care?

Provide frequent mouth care.

The nurse is inserting a Levin tube for a patient for gastric decompression. The tube should be inserted to 6 to 10 cm beyond what length?

The distance determined by measuring from the tragus of the ear to the xiphoid process

Before inserting a gastric or enteric tube, the nurse determines the length of tubing that will be needed to reach the stomach or small intestine. The Levin tube, a commonly used nasogastric tube, has circular markings at specific points. This tube should be inserted to 6 to 10 cm beyond what length?

The distance measured from the tip of the nose (N) to the earlobe (E) and from the earlobe to the xiphoid (X) process

The nurse prepares to administer all of a client's medications via feeding tube. The nurse consults the pharmacist and/or physician when the nurse notes which type of oral medication on the client's medication administration record?

enteric-coated tablets