# A nurse is caring for a client who has been receiving continuous enteral tube feeding for 3 days. The client suddenly develops coughing and shortness of breath. Which action should the nurse take first?

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> language: en  
> subject: Basic Care and Comfort  
> category: BCC

## Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has been receiving continuous enteral tube feeding for 3 days. The client suddenly develops coughing and shortness of breath. Which action should the nurse take first?

## Option

1. Stop the infusion pump immediately. **✔ Correct answer**
2. Elevate the head of the bed to 45 degrees.
3. Check the gastric residual volume.
4. Verify tube placement with an abdominal X-ray.

**Correct answer: 1**

## Explanation

When a client receiving enteral feeding develops sudden coughing and shortness of breath, aspiration should be suspected. The priority action is to stop the feeding immediately to prevent further aspiration. Elevating the head of the bed is a preventive measure but is not the first action when aspiration is already suspected. Checking gastric residual volume assesses tolerance but does not address the immediate risk of ongoing aspiration. Verifying tube placement with an abdominal X-ray is important but is not the most urgent intervention when the client is symptomatic.

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