Your patient becomes agitated and coughs after resuming enteral nutrition following a CT scan. What should you do first?

The best course of action in this scenario is to stop enteral nutrition (EN) and assess for aspiration. When a patient becomes agitated and coughs after resuming EN, it raises concerns about possible aspiration, which can lead to serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia. Stopping the enteral nutrition allows for immediate evaluation of the patient's airway and respiratory status, ensuring that any potential aspiration is identified and addressed promptly.

Performing an assessment for aspiration is critical because coughing can be a reflex response to aspiration, wherein food or liquid enters the airway instead of the esophagus. By halting the enteral feed, the healthcare provider can prioritize the patient's safety and wellbeing. After ensuring the patient is stable and assessing if aspiration has occurred, appropriate interventions can be implemented based on their condition.

Continuing enteral nutrition could exacerbate the situation if the patient has indeed aspirated. Notifying the physician might be necessary, but this action should follow the initial assessment and stabilization of the patient. Providing a sedative could mask symptoms and delay essential interventions, potentially leading to further complications. Therefore, prioritizing the assessment for aspiration is the most appropriate first step in this situation.