Which action should the nurse take first when a family requests oral feeding for a tube-fed child?

• A. Acknowledge the request and then explore with the family the available options for care.
• B. Refuse to feed the child orally, because the risk is too high.
• C. Ask the parents to negotiate a change in feeding methods with the healthcare provider.
• D. Set additional goals for feeding the child with the parents.

Answer: (A)

When families want a change in how their child is fed, the priority is to engage them through open, collaborative communication. Acknowledge their request and invite them to share their goals, concerns, and the reasons for wanting oral feeding. This establishes trust, validates the family’s role, and provides essential information to tailor a safe plan. From there, the nurse can explore feasible options with the family—such as a supervised trial of oral intake, swallow evaluation, and a coordinated plan with the healthcare team (physician, speech-language pathologist, and dietitian)—while considering risks like aspiration or reflux. This approach emphasizes safe, patient- and family-centered care and lays the groundwork for a collaborative decision. Rushing to refuse, deferring entirely to the provider without discussion, or prematurely setting goals without input would bypass important steps in ensuring safety and family agreement.