The nurse is concerned about pulmonary aspiration when providing the patient with an intermittent tube feeding. Which action is the $\mathbf{priority}$ ?

A) Observe the color of gastric contents.
B) Verify tube placement before feeding.
C) Add blue food coloring to the enteral formula.
D) Run the formula over 12 hours to decrease overload.

A major cause of pulmonary aspiration is regurgitation of formula. The nurse needs to verify tube placement and elevate the head of the bed 30 to 45 degrees during feedings and for 2 hours afterward. While observing the color of gastric contents is a component, it is not the priority component; pH is the primary component. The addition of blue food coloring to enteral formula to assist with detection of aspirate is no longer used. Do not hang formula longer than 4 to 8 hours. Formula becomes a medium for bacterial growth after that length of time.