Should gastric aspirate be discarded or retained when gastric residual volume is removed from gastric tubes?
Nursing care of patients with enteral feeding tubes is common in the intensive care unit but the evidence that surrounds the practice is limited. Recent research by Juve-Udina and colleagues (2010) "To return or to discard? Randomised trial on gastric residual volume management" compares two methods of managing gastric residual volume. This critique provides a brief summary of their research and critically appraises the paper. The implications for nursing practice are discussed.
Williams
Teresa A
TA
Critical Care Division, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, 6000, Australia. Teresa.Williams@curtin.edu.au
Leslie
Gavin D
GD
D000465:Algorithms; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D003657:Decision Making; D003663:Decision Trees; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000209:etiology; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000209:etiology; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011446:Prospective Studies; D053120:Respiratory Aspiration / Q000209:etiology; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing