While administering a bolus feeding, coughing and respiratory distress occur shortly after the bolus begins. The priority action is to:

While administering a bolus feeding, coughing and respiratory distress occur shortly after the bolus begins. The priority action is to:

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

Answer: (D)

When coughing and respiratory distress occur soon after starting a bolus feeding, the immediate concern is protecting the airway and preventing aspiration. The safest first action is to stop the bolus feeding right away. Halting the delivery prevents more formula from entering the stomach and reduces the danger of aspirating it into the lungs. After stopping, focus on the patient’s airway and breathing—raise the head of the bed, monitor oxygenation, assess lung sounds, and suction if needed per protocol—while preparing to notify the physician and determine the next steps. Checking tube placement is important, but it should come after ensuring the airway is protected, because ongoing feeding during distress could worsen aspiration.

When coughing and respiratory distress occur soon after starting a bolus feeding, the immediate concern is protecting the airway and preventing aspiration. The safest first action is to stop the bolus feeding right away. Halting the delivery prevents more formula from entering the stomach and reduces the danger of aspirating it into the lungs. After stopping, focus on the patient’s airway and breathing—raise the head of the bed, monitor oxygenation, assess lung sounds, and suction if needed per protocol—while preparing to notify the physician and determine the next steps. Checking tube placement is important, but it should come after ensuring the airway is protected, because ongoing feeding during distress could worsen aspiration.