Enteral Nutrition Video Case Study Follow Up Questions
These questions are to be completed after you have finished the video case study.
These questions are designed to help you critically think about what was happening
with the case study for this specific content. All questions must be answered in their
entirety for credit. Any resources used must be cited in APA format in text and on a
reference page. This document must be uploaded to the Moodle dropbox with the
completion certificate by the assigned due date for credit.
1. What are five (5) potential complications of enteral feedings? How will the nurse
know if the complication has occurred? What actions will the nurse take to
prevent each complication?
Five potential complications of enteral feeding are aspiration, dislodgment, fluid
imbalance, insertion- site infections, and skin breakdown around the site. The
signs and symptoms of aspiration caused by enteral feeding include increased
blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate. To prevent this complication
would be to set the patient in an upright position at a 30-degree angle, also leave
patient upright for 1 hour to prevent aspiration. The signs and symptoms of
dislodgment enteral feeding tube are chocking, difficulty breathing,
nausea/vomiting and abdominal pain. As the nurse to prevent this complication
you should maintain the external bumper 0.5 to 2 cm from the skin. The signs
and symptoms of fluid imbalance. Potassium is the most common electrolyte
imbalance that occurs with enteral feedings. Hypokalemia can cause
dysrhythmias and can even lead to metabolic alkalosis if not corrected. To
prevent this complication, make sure that the patient receives proper nutrition
and hydration and monitoring lab to detect fluctuations in laboratory values.
Signs and symptoms of insertion site infections include redness, and swelling,
and possibly foul- smelling discharge. To prevent incision site infections, you
should practice handwashing, make sure to clean area around insertion site and
change tubing if needed. Signs and symptoms of skin breakdown are red, or
purple spots on skin, do not blanch and feels warmer or cooler than skin around
it. To prevent this injury is use skin protectants or barriers ointments. To prevent
this, make sure to apply these protectants.
