I'm a student nurse in my last semester, and I was hoping for some help with a question. Today at clinicals a docter ordered supplemental feeding via NG tube for a pt. The reasoning was that the pt is at risk for aspiration and because her intake has been poor the last two days. However the doctor also wanted the pt to remain on a solid diet as tolerated instead of NPO. All of the nursing staff was very worried about this and nursing management became involved. The concern was that the pt would be at an even higher risk of aspiration with the tube in place and eating solid foods. Everyone agreed that they thought when a pt was being feed via NG tube that NPO was indicated. No one of the floor had ever encountered a similar situation nor had my clinical instructer. We consulted literature to try and solve the problem. None of the text books or the hospital policy stated if the pt had to be NPO or not. My text for class says that the pt is normally NPO. When I left clinicals the situation had not been resolved. I was wondering if anyone has ever encountered something similar, or what the policy is at their work place? And if anyone can point to any literature on the subject.
Speech had already been involved with the pt on admit so they were familiar with her. They didn't really do an "evaluation", but gave an opionion on it to the nurse. Yes, I agree the guy is a real jerk. I believe that the hospital is watching him pretty closely. The pt is full code and the family wants everything possible done for her.
sarahjuly
22 Posts
Speech had already been involved with the pt on admit so they were familiar with her. They didn't really do an "evaluation", but gave an opionion on it to the nurse. Yes, I agree the guy is a real jerk. I believe that the hospital is watching him pretty closely. The pt is full code and the family wants everything possible done for her.