(PrepU) Chapter 44: Digestive and Gastrointestinal Treatment Modalities

INTAKE: Tube feeding 480 mLWater 120 mLIVPB 50 mLLiquid medications 60 mL OUTPUT: Urine 450 mL The client has the intake and output shown in the accompanying chart for an 8-hour shift. What is the positive fluid balance?

260 Intake includes all the components listed in the intake column, which amounts to 710 mL. The output, which is the urine of 450 mL, is subtracted from the total intake. This leaves 260 mL as a positive fluid balance.

A patient has a gastric sump tube attached to low intermittent suction. The nurse empties the suction collection chamber and records an output of 320 mL for this 8-hour shift. The record shows that the tube had been irrigated with 20 mL of normal saline twice this shift. What would be the actual output of the gastric sump tube?

280 The output measured includes the two 20 mL irrigations. To determine the actual output, the nurse would subtract the amount of irrigation used (in this case 40 mL total) from the total output (in this case 320 mL) and arrive at an output of 280 mL.

As part of the process of checking the placement of a nasogastric tube, the nurse checks the pH of the aspirate. Which pH finding would indicate to the nurse that the tube is in the stomach?

4 Gastric secretions are acidic and have a pH ranging from 1 to 5. Intestinal aspirate is typically 6 or higher; respiratory aspirate is more alkaline, usually 7 or greater.

A client has been prescribed a protein intake of 0.6 g/kg of body weight. The client weighs 154 pounds. The nurse calculates the daily protein intake to be how many grams? Enter the correct number ONLY.

42 The client's weight of 154 pounds is equal to 70 kg. The client is to receive 0.6 g of protein for each 1 kg of body weight. 0.6 g/kg x 70 kg = 42 grams.

The nurse is caring for a comatose patient and administering gastrostomy feedings. What does the nurse understand is the reason that gastrostomy feedings are preferred to nasogastric (NG) feedings in the comatose patient?

Gastroesophageal sphincter is intact, lessening the possibility of regurgitation. Gastrostomy is preferred over NG feedings in the patient who is comatose because the gastroesophageal sphincter remains intact, making regurgitation and aspiration less likely.

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

Provide frequent mouth care. Frequent mouth care helps to relieve the discomfort from dryness and unpleasant odors and tastes. It can be done with the help of ice chips and analgesic throat lozenges, gargles, or sprays. Adequate hydration is essential. If urine output is less than less than 500 mL/day, formula and additional water can be given as ordered. Keeping the feeding formula refrigerated and unopened until it is ready for use and flushing the tube with water before adding feedings are measures to protect the client from infections.

The client is on a continuous tube feeding. The nurse determines the tube placement should be checked every

shift Each nurse caring for the client is responsible for verifying that the tube is located in the proper area for continuous feeding. Checking for placement each hour is unnecessary unless the client is extremely restless or there is basis for rechecking the tube due to other client activities. Checking for placement every 12 or 24 hours does not meet the standard of care for the client receiving continuous tube feedings.

What type of feedings should be administered to a client who is at risk of diarrhea due to hypertonic feeding solutions?

continuous feedings Continuous feedings should be administered to a client who is at risk of diarrhea due to hypertonic feeding solutions. Bolus or intermittent feedings cause sudden distention of the small intestine, and cyclic feedings are not advised.

The nurse assesses a patient who recently had a nasoenteric intubation. Symptoms of oliguria, lethargy, and tachycardia in the patient would indicate to the nurse what common complication?

Fluid volume deficit Symptoms of fluid volume deficit include dry skin and mucous membranes, decreased urinary output, lethargy, lightheadedness, hypotension, and increased heart rate.

The client is receiving a 25% dextrose solution of parenteral nutrition. The infusion machine is beeping, and the nurse determines the intravenous (IV) bag is empty. The nurse finds there is no available bag to administer. What is the priority action by the nurse?

Infuse a solution containing 10% dextrose and water. If the parenteral nutrition solution runs out, a solution of 10% dextrose and water is infused to prevent hypoglycemia. The nurse would then order the next parenteral nutrition bag from the pharmacy. Flushing a peripherally inserted catheter is usually prescribed every 8 hours or per hospital established protocols. It is not the most important activity at this moment. The infusion rate should not be increased to compensate for fluids that were not infused, because hyperglycemia and hyperosmolar diuresis could occur.

The nurse is inserting a sump tube in a patient with Crohn's disease who is suspected of having a bowel obstruction. What does the nurse understand is the benefit of the gastric (Salem) sump tube in comparison to some of the other tubes?

The tube is radiopaque. The gastric (Salem) sump tube is a radiopaque (easily seen on x-ray), clear plastic, double-lumen nasogastric tube.

Gastrostomy feedings are preferred to nasogastric feedings in the comatose patient, because the:

Gastroesophageal sphincter is intact, lessening the possibility of regurgitation and aspiration. Gastrostomy is preferred over NG feedings in the patient who is comatose because the gastroesophageal sphincter remains intact. Regurgitation and aspiration are less likely to occur with a gastrostomy than with NG feedings.

Rebound hypoglycemia is a complication of parenteral nutrition caused by

feedings stopped too abruptly. Rebound hypoglycemia occurs when the feedings are stopped too abruptly. Hyperglycemia is caused by glucose intolerance. Fluid overload is caused by fluids infusing too rapidly. An air embolism can occur from a cap missing on a port.

A client with a gastrojejunostomy is beginning to take solid food. Which finding would lead the nurse to suspect that the client is experiencing dumping syndrome?

Diarrhea Clients with a gastrojejunostomy are at risk for developing the dumping syndrome when they begin to take solid food. This syndrome produces weakness, dizziness, sweating, palpitations, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea, which result from the rapid emptying (dumping) of large amounts of hypertonic chyme (a liquid mass of partly digested food) into the jejunum. This concentrated solution in the gut draws fluid from the circulating blood into the intestine, causing hypovolemia. The drop in blood pressure can produce syncope. As the syndrome progresses, the sudden appearance of carbohydrates in the jejunum stimulates the pancreas to secrete excessive amounts of insulin, which in turn causes hypoglycemia.

A client recovering from gastric bypass surgery accidentally removes the nasogastric tube. What is the best action by the nurse?

Notify the surgeon about the tube's removal. If the nasogastric tube is removed accidently in a client who has undergone esophageal or gastric surgery, it is usually replaced by the health care provider. Care is taken to avoid trauma to the suture line. The nurse will not insert the tube to the esophagus or to the stomach in this situation. The nurse needs to do more than just document its removal. The nurse needs to notify the health care provider who will make a determination of leaving out or inserting a new nasogastric tube.

A positive nitrogen balance indicates which condition?

Tissue growth A positive nitrogen balance exists when nitrogen intake exceeds nitrogen output and indicates tissue growth. A negative nitrogen balance exists with fever, starvation, and burn injury.

The primary source of microorganisms for catheter-related infections are the skin and the

catheter hub. The primary sources of microorganisms for catheter-related infections are the skin and the catheter hub. The catheter site is covered with an occlusive gauze dressing that is usually changed every other day.

The client is experiencing swallowing difficulties and is now scheduled to receive a gastric feeding. The client has the following oral medications prescribed: furosemide, digoxin, enteric coated aspirin, and vitamin E. The nurse would withhold which medication?

enteric coated aspirin Simple compressed tablets (furosemide, digoxin) may be crushed and dissolved in water. Soft gelatin capsules filled with liquid (vitamin E) may be opened, and the contents squeezed out. Enteric coated tablets (enteric coated aspirin) are not to be crushed and a change in the form of the medications is required.

A client with a feeding tube is to receive medication. The medication supplied is an enteric-coated tablet. Which of the following would be most appropriate?

Check with the pharmacist to see of a liquid form is available. Enteric-coated tablets due to their formulation cannot be crushed. Rather the nurse would need to contact the pharmacist to see if there is a liquid form available. Some time-released tablet forms can be opened but cannot be crushed because doing so may release too much of the drug too quickly Giving the tablet as is in its original form would be inappropriate because it would not pass through the tube, thus not reaching its intended site for absorption.

The nurse is inserting a nasogastric tube for a patient with pancreatitis. What intervention can the nurse provide to allow facilitation of the tube insertion?

Allow the patient to sip water as the tube is being inserted. During insertion, the patient usually sits upright with a towel or other protective barrier spread in a biblike fashion over the chest. The nostril may be swabbed or the oropharynx sprayed with an anesthetic agent to numb the nasal passage and suppress the gag reflex. The tip of the patient's nose is tilted upward, and the tube is aligned to enter the nostril. When the tube reaches the nasopharynx, the patient is instructed to lower the head slightly and, if able, to begin to swallow as the tube is advanced. The patient may also be encouraged to sip water through a straw to facilitate advancement of the tube if this action is not contraindicated.

A nurse is interviewing a patient to determine suitability for home parenteral nutrition. Which patient statement would alert the nurse to a potential problem?

"I have a telephone, but it has been shut off because my bill is overdue." Lack of access to a working telephone would be a concern because a telephone is necessary for contacting home health personnel, arranging for prompt delivery of supplies, and emergency purposes. Available family support, a willingness to learn, a desire for self-sufficiency, and a physical home environment with adequate storage for supplies and a lack of obstacles that might hinder the patient's mobility are important to the success of home parenteral nutrition.

A nurse is caring for a patient with a Salem sump gastric tube attached to low intermittent suction for decompression. The patient asks, "What's this blue part of the tube for?" Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?

"It is a vent that prevents backflow of the secretions." The blue part of the Salem sump tube vents the larger suction-drainage tube to the atmosphere and, when kept above the patient's waist, prevents reflux of gastric contents through it. Otherwise it acts as a siphon. A gauge on the suction device regulates the pressure of the device. The tube has markings on it to aid in measurement.

A patient is receiving a continuous tube feeding. The nurse notes that the feeding tube was last irrigated at 2 p.m. The nurse would plan to irrigate the tube again at which time?

6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The recommendation is to irrigate the feeding tube of patients receiving continuous tube feedings every 4 to 6 hours. For this patient, the nurse would irrigate the tube next at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The primary source of microorganisms for catheter-related infections are the skin and which of the following?

Catheter hub The primary sources of microorganisms for catheter-related infections are the skin and the catheter hub. The catheter site is covered with an occlusive gauze dressing that is usually changed every other day.

A client is scheduled to receive a 25% dextrose solution of parenteral nutrition. What actions are a priority for the nurse to perform prior to administration? Select all that apply.

Ensure availability of an infusion pump Ensure completion of baseline monitoring of the complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry panel Place a 1.5-micron filter on the tubing Parenteral nutrition with dextrose concentrations of greater than 10% should not be administered through peripheral veins. An infusion pump should always be used for the administration of parenteral nutrition. Standing orders are initiated that include monitoring of CBC and chemistry panel prior to the start of parenteral nutrition. Medications should not be administered in the same IV line as the parenteral nutrition because of potential incompatibilities with the components of the nutritional solution. A special filter (1.5-micron filter) is used with parenteral nutrition.

The nurse is to discontinue a nasogastric tube that had been used for decompression. What is the first action the nurse should take?

Flush with 10 mL of water. Before a nasogastric tube is removed, the nurse flushes the tube with 10 mL of water or normal saline to ensure that the tube is free of debris and away from the gastric tissue. The tape keeps the tube in the correct position while flushing is occurring and is then removed from the nose. The nurse then withdraws the tube gently for 6 to 8 inches until the tip reaches the esophagus, and then the remainder of the tube is withdrawn rapidly from the nostril. After the tube is removed, the nurse provides oral hygiene.

The nurse cares for a client who receives continuous enteral tube feedings and who is at low risk for aspiration. The nurse assesses the gastric residual volume to be 350 mL. The nurse determines which action is correct?

Monitoring the feeding closely. High residual volumes (>200 mL) should alert the nurse to monitor the client more closely. Increasing the feeding rate will increase the residual volume. Lowering the head of the bed increases the client's risk for aspiration.

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 measured from the tip of the nose to the earlobe and from the earlobe to the xiphoid process Before inserting the tube, the nurse determines the length that will be needed to reach the stomach or the small intestine. A mark is made on the tube to indicate the desired length. This length is traditionally determined by (1) measuring the distance from the tip of the nose to the earlobe and from the earlobe to the xiphoid process, and (2) adding up to 15 cm (6 in) for NG placement or at least 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 in) or more for intestinal placement.

To ensure patency of central venous line ports, diluted heparin flushes are used

daily when not in use. Daily instillation of dilute heparin flush when a port is not in use will maintain the port. Continuous infusion maintains the patency of each port. Heparin flushes are used after each intermittent infusion. Heparin flushes are used after blood drawing to prevent clotting of blood within the port. Heparin flush of ports is not necessary if a line is to be discontinued.

A client who can't tolerate oral feedings begins receiving intermittent enteral feedings. When monitoring for evidence of intolerance to these feedings, what must the nurse remain alert for?

diaphoresis, vomiting, and diarrhea. The nurse must monitor for diaphoresis, vomiting, and diarrhea because these signs suggest an intolerance to the ordered enteral feeding solution. Other signs and symptoms of feeding intolerance include abdominal cramps, nausea, aspiration, and glycosuria. Electrolyte disturbances, constipation, dehydration, and hypercapnia are complications of enteral feedings, not signs of intolerance. Hyperglycemia, not hypoglycemia, is a potential complication of enteral feedings.

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 Enteric-coated tablets are meant to be digested in the intestinal tract and may be destroyed by stomach acids. A change in the form of medication is necessary for clients with tube feedings. Simple compressed tablets may be crushed and dissolved in water for clients receiving oral medications by feeding tube. Buccal or sublingual tablets are absorbed by mucous membranes and may be given as intended to the client undergoing tube feedings. The nurse may make an opening in the capsule and squeeze out contents for administration by feeding tube.

Which condition is caused by improper catheter placement and inadvertent puncture of the pleura?

pneumothorax A pneumothorax is caused by improper catheter placement and inadvertent puncture of the pleura. Air embolism can occur from a missing cap on a port. Sepsis can be caused by the separation of dressings. Fluid overload is caused by fluids infusing too rapidly.

The most significant complication related to continuous tube feedings is

the increased potential for aspiration. Because the normal swallowing mechanism is bypassed, consideration of the danger of aspiration must be foremost in the mind of the nurse caring for the client receiving continuous tube feedings. Tube feedings preserve GI integrity by intraluminal delivery of nutrients. Tube feedings preserve the normal sequence of intestinal and hepatic metabolism. Tube feedings maintain fat metabolism and lipoprotein synthesis.