While administering a bolus feeding through an NG tube, the patient reports sudden severe abdominal cramping. What should the nurse do next?

While administering a bolus feeding through an NG tube, the patient reports sudden severe abdominal cramping. What should the nurse do next?

• A. Continue the administration of the bolus feeding at the same rate
• B. Discontinue the administration of the bolus feeding
• C. Pause the feeding to check the tube placement
• D. Slow the administration to half the rate and reassess

Answer: (B)

Sudden severe cramping during a bolus enteral feeding signals feeding intolerance and possible overloading of the stomach. The immediate step is to stop the bolus feed to prevent further distention, discomfort, and risk of vomiting or aspiration. After stopping, quickly assess the patient’s abdominal status, monitor vital signs, and review any protocol details (such as residuals and tube placement) before deciding on the next steps with the clinician’s orders. Once stabilized, you can determine whether to resume at a slower rate, switch to a continuous method, or modify the formula, but continuing at the same rate would likely worsen the symptoms.

Sudden severe cramping during a bolus enteral feeding signals feeding intolerance and possible overloading of the stomach. The immediate step is to stop the bolus feed to prevent further distention, discomfort, and risk of vomiting or aspiration. After stopping, quickly assess the patient’s abdominal status, monitor vital signs, and review any protocol details (such as residuals and tube placement) before deciding on the next steps with the clinician’s orders. Once stabilized, you can determine whether to resume at a slower rate, switch to a continuous method, or modify the formula, but continuing at the same rate would likely worsen the symptoms.