ATI ENTERAL TUBE FEEDING EXAM 2023-2024 ACTUAL
EXAM 120 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES|AGRADE
A nurse inserting a nasogastric tube asks the pt to flex her head toward her chest
after the tube passes through the nasopharynx. This action facilitates proper
insertion of the tube by…
a) closing off the glottis
b) preventing curling of the tube in the mouth
c) allowing the pt to breathe through her mouth
d) opening the lower esophageal sphincter ` – ANSWER- a) closing off the glottis
RATIONALE:This action prohibits the tube from entering the trachea
To prevent aspiration during the administration of an enteral tube feeding, a nurse
should
a) Flush the feeding tube with 30 mL of water
b) Add blue food coloring the the enteral formula
c) ensure the formula is at room temperature
d) place the pt in Fowler’s position – ANSWER- d) place the pt in fowler’s position
RATIONALE:The Fowler’s position is recommended during tube feeding to
reduce the risk of regurgitation, which can lead to aspiration
Nasogastric tube feedings are an appropriate choice for a pt who..
a) has a paralytic ileus
b) has recently experienced facial trauma
c) is postperative following laryngectomy
d) has pancreatitis – ANSWER- c) post-op following laryngectomy
RATIONALE:Immediately following the removal of the larynx, pt’s typically
receive IV fluids or parenteral nutrition until the gastrointestinal tract recovers
from anesthesia. Then, a nasogastric tube is inserted and left in place for about 7-
10 days to provide enteral feedings until swallowing is safe and adequate
A pt with a gastric ileus postop requires nutritional support for approximately 2
wks. Which of the following types is appropriate for this pt?
a) Nasogastric tube
b) Nasointestinal tube
c) Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube
d) Percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy tube – ANSWER- b) Nasointestinal tube
RATIONALE:Allows postpyloric feeding by depositing enteral formula directly
into the intestines.This is an appropriate choice for a pt who lacks stomach motility
(gastric ileus) and requires short- term (less than 4 wks) enteral feeding
To determine how much of the length of a nasoenteric tube to insert, a nurse
should measure the distance from the tip of the pt’s nose to the earlobe and from
the earlobe to the…
a) umbilicus
b) xiphoid process
c) manubrium plus 10-20 cm more
d) xiphoid process plus 20-30 cm more – ANSWER- d) xiphoid process plus 20-30
cm more
RATIONALE:Measuring from the tip to the nose to the earlobe to the xiphoid
process approximates the distance from the nose to the stomach for 98% of
patients. For duodenal or jejunal placement, an additional 20-30 cm is required
Which of the following formulas is appropriate to administer to a pt who has a
dysfunctional gastrointestinal tract?
a) Modular
b) Elemental
c) polymeric
d) specialty – ANSWER- b) elemental
RATIONALE:elemental formulas contain predigested nutrients that are easy for a
partially functional gastrointestinal tract to absorb
An older adult pt in a long term care facility is receiving intermittent enteral
feedings in his room. His affect is flat, and the nurse suspects that he is feeling
isolated. Which of the following interventions is appropriate for this pt?
a) Encourage him to go to the dining room at meal times to talk with other pts
b) Suggest that he watch television while his feedings are being administered
c) Remind him that he can have visitors after his feeding administration times
d) Ask the facility chaplin to speak with the pt. – ANSWER- a) encourage him to
go to the dining room
The most reliable method for verifying initial placement of a small-bore feeding
tube is by
a) measuring the pH of gastric aspirate
b) auscultating the epigastric area while injecting air
c) obtaining an abdominal x-ray