Question

When and why should residual volumes be checked when patients are receiving enteral feedings?

Answer 1

Measuring gastric residual volume:-

TO PREVENT ASPIRATION in a patient who receives tube feedings , measure gastric residual volume to assess the rate of gastric emptying.

Do:-

*Explain the procedure to the patient and provide privacy. Wash your hands and put on clean gloves.

Make sure that tube placement was confirmed on X-ray. Measure the exposed portion of the tube and compare the length with the previous measurement.

Don't:-

*Don't rely on just one method to confirm tube placement.

*Don't administor tube feedings too rapidly.

If using a PEG tube, measure residual every 4 hours (if residual is more than 200 ml or other specifically ordered amount, hold for one hour and recheck; if it still remains high, notify doctor).

Current enteral practice recommendations state that GRV should be checked every four hours during the first 48 hours of gastric feeding and, after that, every six to eight hours for patients who are not critically ill.