Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

Which action should be taken to decrease the risk of aspiration for a 7-month-old with a cleft palate?

1. Feed the infant in a supine position.

2. Encourage the mother to breastfeed the infant exclusively.

3. Burp the infant frequently during feedings.

4. Perform nasotracheal suctioning if coughing occurs

The correct answer is: Burp the infant frequently during feedings.

To decrease the risk of aspiration for a 7-month-old with a cleft palate, burping the infant frequently during feedings is essential. Infants with cleft palates may have difficulty with proper swallowing and coordination of suck and swallow due to the anatomical differences associated with the condition. Frequent burping helps release any trapped air, reducing the chance of the infant regurgitating milk and potentially aspirating it into the lungs. Burping allows for better management of the feeding process and can help prevent the child from becoming overly full, which could lead to increased risk of aspiration during feedings. It also promotes overall comfort for the infant, facilitating a more effective feeding experience. In contrast, feeding practices such as positioning can be crucial, but feeding the infant in a supine position could increase the risk of aspiration. Encouraging exclusive breastfeeding may be beneficial for other reasons, but it does not directly address the risk of aspiration related to the specific anatomical challenges of a cleft palate. Lastly, nasotracheal suctioning is typically performed for airway management in more severe cases, not as a routine response during feeding. Thus, burping is the most effective action in this scenario to help mitigate aspiration risks.