During bolus feeding, the client has marked abdominal distension and high gastric residual volumes. The nurse should:

• A. Continue feeding as planned
• B. Discontinue the administration of the bolus feeding
• C. Reassess and then resume if tolerated
• D. Flush the tube and continue

Answer: (B)

When a patient receiving bolus feeds shows marked abdominal distension and high gastric residual volumes, it indicates feeding intolerance and delayed gastric emptying. The priority is safety—the stomach is not emptying properly, so continuing the bolus could lead to regurgitation and aspiration. Stopping the bolus feeding allows time to evaluate the cause (tube patency, placement, bowel function, medications affecting motility, or an obstruction) and reassess the patient’s tolerance. After the assessment, you can decide whether to resume feeding, typically at a slower rate or switch to continuous feeding if the GI tract tolerates it. If intolerance persists or symptoms worsen, notify the provider for further orders.