During nasogastric enteral feeding for an infant, which action should the nurse take?

During nasogastric enteral feeding for an infant, which action should the nurse take?

• A. Keep the infant in a supine position for 2 hours after feeding
• B. Place the infant in semi-Fowler's position for 1 hour after the feeding
• C. Feed with the infant lying on the stomach
• D. Administer the feeding while the infant is upright in a chair

Answer: (B)

After nasogastric enteral feeding, keeping the infant with the head of the bed elevated in a semi-Fowler’s position (about 30 to 45 degrees) for about an hour helps prevent aspiration. Gravity keeps stomach contents from refluxing into the esophagus and airway, which is especially important for infants with immature airway reflexes. Lying supine or on the stomach increases the risk of aspiration, and feeding an infant upright in a chair isn’t appropriate for this age.

After nasogastric enteral feeding, keeping the infant with the head of the bed elevated in a semi-Fowler’s position (about 30 to 45 degrees) for about an hour helps prevent aspiration. Gravity keeps stomach contents from refluxing into the esophagus and airway, which is especially important for infants with immature airway reflexes. Lying supine or on the stomach increases the risk of aspiration, and feeding an infant upright in a chair isn’t appropriate for this age.