Editing Nursing Skills and Procedures (section)

=== Complications ===
Diarrhea is the most common complication and prompts evaluation of formula osmolarity, rate, sorbitol-containing medications, and infection rather than immediate discontinuation. Dumping syndrome, seen especially with jejunal feeding and hyperosmolar formula, produces cramping, diaphoresis, tachycardia, and diarrhea shortly after feeding. Refeeding syndrome occurs when nutrition is restarted in a severely malnourished patient and produces a dangerous drop in phosphate, magnesium, and potassium with cardiac and respiratory failure; start slowly and monitor electrolytes. Aspiration is the most dangerous complication: stop the feeding immediately, turn the patient to the side, suction, provide oxygen, assess breath sounds and saturation, and notify the provider.