What should the nurse do if a client with NG tube feeds suddenly develops dyspnea?

• A. Check the tube placement before anything else
• B. Increase the feeding rate to improve nutrition
• C. Stop the feeding and elevate the head of the bed
• D. Administer bronchodilators as prescribed

Answer: (C)

When a client with an NG tube suddenly develops dyspnea, stopping the feeding and elevating the head of the bed is a critical and appropriate response. This action helps to ensure the client can breathe more comfortably and reduces the risk of aspiration, which can occur if the feeding is still being administered while the client is experiencing breathing difficulties. Elevating the head of the bed also promotes better lung expansion and oxygenation, further addressing the immediate concern of dyspnea.

In this context, checking tube placement may be necessary after addressing the immediate respiratory distress, but the priority is to ensure the patient's airway is not compromised. Increasing the feeding rate would be contraindicated as it could exacerbate the problem and increase the risk of aspiration, and administering bronchodilators should only be done if indicated by the client’s condition and medical orders, which may not address the immediate risk associated with the NG tube feeding. Thus, stopping the feeding and elevating the head of the bed addresses the urgency of the situation effectively.