Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving intermittent enteral tube feedings and has diarrhea after each feeding. Which of the following actions should the nurse take in an attempt to prevent diarrhea after subsequent feedings?

A) Increase the feeding rate
B) Use a smaller feeding tube
C) Administer antidiarrheal medication
D) Check the formula for intolerance

Answer 1

The nurse should check the formula for intolerance when a client receiving intermittent enteral tube feedings experiences diarrhea. Other actions such as increasing feeding rate, using a smaller tube, or administering antidiarrheal medication do not address the potential root cause.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a client receiving intermittent enteral tube feedings is experiencing diarrhea after each feeding, it is important to identify and address the underlying cause. In this scenario, checking the formula for intolerance is a prudent first step. This action ensures that the enteral feeding formula is not contributing to the client's symptoms by being too hypertonic or containing ingredients that the client cannot tolerate. It is not advisable to increase the feeding rate as this might exacerbate the problem. Using a smaller feeding tube would not prevent diarrhea and is not relevant to the issue at hand. While administering antidiarrheal medication may relieve symptoms, it does not address the root cause of the diarrhea, which could be due to a formula intolerance or infection such as Clostridioides difficile. The nurse should work with the healthcare team to evaluate the situation thoroughly and consider testing if the issue persists, keeping in mind that conditions such as a C. difficile infection require specific interventions.