[Verification of gastric residual volumes by the nursing staff in an intensive care unit].

This descriptive study aims at verifying whether or not the gastric residual volume (GRV) is assessed prior to the administration of the diet and the procedure performed by the Nursing staff when such a factor occurs. Most Nursing staff members (76.56%) did not verify the GRV before administration of the diet via tube feeding, despite the fact that the majority of them (90.63%) had asserted that they use the procedure. 20.31% stated opening the tube feeding from 100 ml of the GRV, and the majority of them referred to disposing of the aspirated material and 57.78% stated to have administered 100% of the prescribed volume independent of the GRV aspirated by the tube feeding. The study showed the need for supervision and guidance for the nursing staff concerning the care related to administration of the diet via tube feeding.