A nurse is caring for an infant who has gastroesophageal reflux. The nurse should place the infant in which of the following positions following feedings?
A. Place the infant on his left side.
B. Place the infant in an infant seat.
C. Place the infant in a prone position.
D. Place the infant on his right side.
Answer (2)
After feedings, the best position for an infant with gastroesophageal reflux is to place them in an infant seat, keeping them upright. This position helps minimize reflux and provides comfort. Other positions, such as on their side or stomach, may not be beneficial and could pose risks.
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Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a common condition in infants where stomach contents come back up into the esophagus, causing discomfort and sometimes vomiting. Proper positioning after feedings can help manage symptoms and reduce the frequency of reflux.
In the case of an infant with gastroesophageal reflux, it is generally recommended to place the infant on their left side after feeding. This position is believed to aid in reducing reflux episodes because it allows gravity to help keep the stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus.
Option (A): Place the infant on his left side. - This position is preferred because the esophagus enters the stomach on the right side of the body. Placing an infant on their left side helps keep the stomach contents lower than the esophagus, utilizing gravity to minimize reflux.
Option (B): Place the infant in an infant seat. - This position can actually aggravate reflux as it can increase abdominal pressure and doesn't maintain the best gravitational advantage compared to lying on the left side.
Option (C): Place the infant in a prone position. - While placing an infant on their stomach may help with reflux in some scenarios, it is not recommended due to an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Option (D): Place the infant on his right side. - This positioning may not be as effective as the left side because it is opposite to how the stomach naturally empties into the small intestines.
Therefore, the best choice is Option (A): Place the infant on his left side. This position helps minimize the likelihood and severity of reflux episodes and is generally considered safe under supervision.
Please ensure that any positioning recommendations are consistent with a healthcare provider's advice, as individual cases may differ.
