Before starting enteral feeding, what should be verified?

• A. Verify tube placement
• B. Check residual
• C. HOB 30-45
• D. Check blood sugar

Answer: (A)

Verifying tube placement is essential before starting enteral feeds. If the tube isn’t in the stomach or small intestine, delivering nutrition can enter the lungs and cause aspiration, which can be life-threatening. The most reliable way to confirm placement is radiographic confirmation of the tube’s path and tip location. Other safety steps like elevating the head of the bed, checking residuals, or monitoring blood glucose are important for overall safety and tolerance, but they don’t verify where the tube actually lies, so they can’t replace confirming placement before feeding.