A 32-year-old woman on the medical-surgical unit has a nasogastric feeding tube placed 2 days ago for nutritional support after bowel surgery. Documentation confirms tube position was verified by x-ray. The LPN notes a Braden Scale score of 14, mild redness at the nares from the tube, and slight moisture at the sacrum from occasional incontinence. Vital signs are temperature 37.1°C, heart rate 82/min, respirations 18/min, blood pressure 118/72 mmHg. The client is due for her next intermittent tube feeding of 240 mL formula. The head of the bed is currently at 15 degrees. What should the LPN do before administering the scheduled feeding?
- Begin the feeding as scheduled since placement was already confirmed by x-ray earlier.
- Raise the head of the bed to at least 30-45 degrees and check gastric residual volume before feeding.
- Change the feeding rate to reduce sacral moisture without contacting the registered nurse.
- Leave the client positioned as is and reposition her after the feeding is complete instead.