A home health nurse is teaching about endotracheal suctioning. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

A) Asking the client to cough while inserting the NG tube:
This action is not necessary and may not be appropriate during the insertion of an NG tube. Coughing can increase the risk of gagging and aspiration during the procedure.

B) Wearing sterile gloves to insert the NG tube:
While the nurse should maintain appropriate hand hygiene, wearing sterile gloves is not typically necessary for the insertion of an NG tube. Clean gloves are sufficient for this procedure.

C) Placing the client into a left lateral position before inserting the NG tube:
Positioning the client in a high Fowler's position (sitting upright) or semi-Fowler's position is generally preferred for NG tube insertion to facilitate tube passage into the esophagus and reduce the risk of aspiration. Placing the client in a left lateral position is not typically done for NG tube insertion.

D) Determining the length of the NG tube to be inserted prior to the procedure:
This is the correct action. Before inserting the NG tube, the nurse should measure the distance from the tip of the client's nose to the earlobe and then from the earlobe to the xiphoid process or the mark on the NG tube corresponding to the desired insertion length. This helps ensure that the tube is inserted to the appropriate depth and reaches the desired location within the gastrointestinal tract.

A) Administer and teach about medications to suppress stage III sleep:
Suppressing stage III sleep is not a primary intervention for sleepwalking and could potentially disrupt the client’s overall sleep quality.

B) Encourage the child to verbalize feelings regarding sleep pattern:
While understanding feelings about sleep patterns may be helpful, it is not the immediate priority in managing sleepwalking.

C) Provide a quiet environment for nighttime sleep:
A quiet environment is generally beneficial for good sleep hygiene but does not directly address the safety concerns associated with sleepwalking.

D) Maintain patient safety during episodes of somnambulism:
Ensuring the client’s safety is the primary focus. Sleepwalking can lead to accidents or injuries; therefore, implementing safety measures to prevent harm during episodes of somnambulism is crucial. This may include securing the environment, using safety gates, and ensuring the client’s immediate surroundings are safe.