If a client is at risk for aspiration during tube feeding, what should the nurse do?

Ensuring the client is in an appropriate position during feeding is crucial for reducing the risk of aspiration. When a client is receiving tube feedings, maintaining a head-of-bed elevation of at least 30 to 45 degrees is recommended. This positioning helps to facilitate proper digestion and minimizes the likelihood of gastric contents entering the trachea, which can occur if the client is lying flat.

Moreover, positioning can directly influence the prevention of aspiration, as it allows gravity to assist in keeping the feeding in the stomach rather than permitting it to backflow into the esophagus and potentially into the airway.

While other options may contribute to overall safety and comfort during feeding, they do not directly address the immediate risk of aspiration as effectively as ensuring proper positioning does. For example, decreasing the feeding rate or limiting the volume might help in certain circumstances but could also lead to undernourishment or dehydration. Oral hygiene, while important for general health, does not specifically mitigate the aspiration risk during tube feeding.