What is a key responsibility of a nurse aide for residents receiving tube feedings?

Keeping the head of the bed elevated at all times is a vital responsibility for a nurse aide when caring for residents receiving tube feedings. Maintaining an elevated position helps to prevent complications such as aspiration, which can occur when material from the stomach enters the lungs. By keeping the head of the bed elevated, the risk of aspiration pneumonia decreases, and it also promotes proper digestion and reduces the risk of reflux. This practice is crucial in ensuring the resident's safety and well-being during tube feeding.

As for the other options, while frequent oral care is important for overall mouth hygiene, it does not need to occur every hour unless specified by the care plan. Daily massage therapy is not a standard responsibility of nurse aides and typically falls outside their scope of practice. Monitoring weight is essential, but it is often done less frequently than weekly unless there are specific concerns about the resident’s nutritional status.