Enteral Tube Feeding — NCLEX Cheat Sheet
Verify placement before each feed
👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team
🕐 Updated 2026-07-11
🏷️ Physiological Adaptation
🔖 Free to read, print, and share
💡
Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Enteral Tube Feeding on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
🩺
- HOB ↑ 30-45° during + 1h after
- Check residual; hold if > 500 mL
- Flush 30 mL water before/after + q4h
- X-ray = gold standard for initial placement
- Check pH; gastric aspirate ≤ 5
- Coughing, cyanosis on insertion → aspiration
- Hold feed if no bowel sounds, distention
- Never flush/feed if placement unconfirmed
- No air-auscultation alone to confirm
✨Quick Tip
Verify tube placement before feeding (X-ray for new tubes; pH and external length checks ongoing).
Related Physiological Adaptation cheat sheets