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

==Question 6==
While a licensed practical nurse is administering an intermittent tube feeding, the client begins coughing forcefully and reports feeling short of breath. Which action should the nurse take '''first'''?
# Stop the feeding.
# Check the residual volume.
# Notify the registered nurse.
# Lower the head of the bed.

'''Answer:''' 1 (A). Stop the feeding.

''Rationale:'' Coughing and dyspnea during a feeding suggest aspiration or tube displacement, and the first action is to stop the flow of formula so no more enters the airway. The nurse then turns the client to the side, suctions as needed, provides oxygen, and notifies the registered nurse, so option 3 follows rather than precedes the immediate protective action. Option 2 wastes time and requires the tube to be used. Option 4 would increase aspiration risk.