Stop the feedings and check for lingering volume. Complaints about stomach pain are often prevalent in patients who are receiving tube feedings. Feeding containers should be cleaned on a daily basis to avoid having an unclear, used or faulty tube.
Stomach discomfort may be caused by unclean or old tubes because they can attract bacteria and an assortment of germs that can affect the patient. Also, patients who are on tube feedings are typically placed in the semi-Fowler's position so that the fluid doesn’t run into the lungs.
Stop the feedings and check for residual volume.-rationale: complaints of abdominal discomfort and nausea are common in clients receiving tube feedings. stopping the feeding and checking for residual volume helps assess the reason for the clients nausea and discomfort. if residual volume is greater than 100 ml, hold the feeding and notify the physician. feedings are normally given at room temperature to minimize abdominal cramping; however, this action doesnt help assess why nausea and discomfort are occurring. elevating the head of the clients bed to at least 30 degrees prevents aspiration during feeding. also, feeding containers are changed daily to prevent bacterial growth.client needs category: physiological integrityclient needs subcategory: basic care and comfortcognitive level: applicationreference: craven, r.f., and hirnle, c.j. fundamentals of nursing: human health and function, 5th ed. philadelphia: lippincott williams & wilkins, 2007, p. 992.