Question

A family wants to begin oral feeding of their 4-year-old son, who is ventilator dependent and currently tube fed. they ask the home health nurse to feed him baby food orally. the nurse recognizes a high risk of aspiration and an already compromised respiratory status. what is the most appropriate nursing action?

a. explain the risks involved and let the family decide what should be done.
b. acknowledge their request, explain the risks, and explore with the family the available options.
c. feed him orally because the family has the right to make this decision for their child.
d. refuse to feed him orally because the risk is too high.

Answer 1

The most appropriate nursing action would be to acknowledge the family's request, explain the risks, and explore the available options. The correct option is b.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate nursing action in this situation would be b. acknowledge their request, explain the risks, and explore with the family the available options.

By acknowledging the family's request, the nurse recognizes their autonomy and respects their decision-making process.

However, it is essential to inform the family about the risks involved in oral feeding and explore alternative options that can help minimize the risk of aspiration and maintain the child's respiratory status. The correct option is b.