Editing Nursing Skills and Procedures – LPN Practice Questions (section)

==Question 5==
A licensed practical nurse is caring for a client receiving a continuous enteral tube feeding. Which action is most important to prevent aspiration?
# Flush the tube with 30 mL of water every four hours.
# Keep the head of the bed elevated 30 to 45 degrees.
# Warm the formula to room temperature before hanging it.
# Change the feeding bag and tubing every 24 hours.

'''Answer:''' 2 (B). Keep the head of the bed elevated 30 to 45 degrees.

''Rationale:'' Elevating the head of the bed is the single most effective nursing measure for preventing aspiration during enteral feeding, and it is maintained during the feeding and for at least 30 to 60 minutes after an intermittent feeding. Flushing in option 1 maintains patency and hydration but does not prevent aspiration. Options 3 and 4 improve comfort and reduce infection risk but do not address aspiration.