Invasives GI Practice Exam

In the care of a patient receiving bolus feeding, how often should residual be checked according to standard practice?

Every 2 hours. Every 6 hours. Every 4 hours. Only once per shift.

Correct Answer:

Every 4 hours.

Explanation:

Regular monitoring of gastric residuals helps gauge how well the stomach is emptying and reduces the risk of aspiration during enteral nutrition. For bolus feeding, feeds are given at set intervals—commonly every four hours—so residuals are checked just before each bolus, effectively about every four hours. Checking more frequently (such as every two hours) isn’t usually necessary unless there are signs of intolerance, while checking less often (every six hours or only once per shift) could miss delayed gastric emptying and lead to complications. Always follow the unit’s specific protocol.

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