Texas Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Practice Exam

Monitoring signs of infection, proper tube placement, and patient tolerance of feeding is crucial for a patient with a feeding tube. These indicators are directly related to the safe and effective management of enteral feeding.

Infection can arise from the insertion site or from contaminants in the feeding process, so observing for redness, swelling, or discharge is vital. Ensuring proper tube placement is essential to prevent aspiration, which can lead to serious respiratory complications. Additionally, assessing patient tolerance involves monitoring for symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, which could indicate that the feeding rate or formula is inappropriate for the patient’s condition.

While dehydration and electrolyte imbalance are important to assess for patients with feeding tubes, the focus in this context is on the immediate concerns related to insertion and the feeding process itself. Changes in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as bowel movement frequency and urine output, are relevant to overall patient health, but do not specifically address the unique complications or considerations associated with feeding tube use. Thus, the correct answer reflects the most pertinent issues for monitoring in this scenario.