Before administering enteral feedings via an NG tube, what should the nurse measure gastric residual for?

Measuring gastric residual before administering enteral feedings via an NG tube is primarily done to identify delayed gastric emptying. Delayed gastric emptying can indicate that the stomach is not processing contents as expected, which may lead to complications such as aspiration, discomfort, or feeding intolerance. If a significant amount of residual is present, it suggests that the stomach is not emptying properly, and it may be necessary to hold the feeding until the status of gastric emptying is assessed further.

This practice helps ensure that the patient can safely receive nutrition without the risk of complications related to inadequate digestion or absorption, making it a critical step in enteral feeding protocols. Monitoring gastric residual volumes is an essential nursing intervention to promote patient safety and effective nutrition management.