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A nurse is assessing for correct placement of a client's NG feeding tube prior to administering a bolus feeding.

Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A.

Insert air in the tube and listen for gurgling sounds in the epigastric area

B.

Aspirate contents from the tube and verify the pH level

C.

Review the medical record for previous x-ray verification of placement

D.

Auscultate the lungs for adventitious breath sounds

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Aspirate contents from the tube and verify the pH level.

  • A. This is an incorrect action. Inserting air in the tube and listening for gurgling sounds in the epigastric area is not a reliable method to confirm NG tube placement, as it can produce falsepositive results due to air entering the stomach or intestines.
  • B. This is a correct action. Aspirating contents from the tube and verifying the pH level is a valid method to confirm NG tube placement, as gastric contents typically have a pH of less than 5.5, while intestinal or respiratory contents have a higher pH.
  • C. This is an incorrect action. Reviewing the medical record for previous x-ray verification of placement is not sufficient to confirm NG tube placement, as the tube can migrate or become dislodged after insertion. X-ray verification should be done initially and whenever there is doubt about the tube's position.
  • D. This is an incorrect action. Auscultating the lungs for adventitious breath sounds is not a specific method to confirm NG tube placement, as it can indicate other conditions such as pneumonia or pulmonary edema. It can also miss signs of respiratory complications due to NG tube misplacement, such as pneumothorax or bronchial obstruction.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

- A. This client is at risk of harming themselves by removing the IV line, which could cause bleeding, infection, or loss of medication. This is a priority issue that requires immediate intervention by the nurse.

- B. This client is experiencing a common side effect of pain medication, which can be managed by administering antiemetics, fluids, or changing the medication. This is not a life-threatening issue and can be addressed after attending to the client in choice A.

- C. This client has a chronic condition that requires regular dialysis, but they are not in acute distress at this time. They should be monitored for signs of fluid overload, electrolyte imbalance, or infection, but they are not a priority over the client in choice A.

- D. This client has a psychosocial need that should be respected and supported by the nurse, but it is not an urgent issue that requires immediate attention. The nurse can arrange for a visit from the chaplain after attending to the client in choice A.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The adolescent has not voided in 4 hr.

Rationale:

  • A. The nurse should not address the parents' concerns and provide education and support, but refer the concerns to the provider to address the concerns about the surgical procedure.
  • B. The adolescent's blood pressure is 131/89 mm Hg. This is not a correct answer because this blood pressure is within the normal range for an adolescent and does not indicate any complications or adverse effects from the injury or medication.
  • C. The adolescent reports severe pain. This is not a correct answer because the nurse should administer morphine as prescribed for pain relief, but this is not a priority finding that requires immediate intervention or reporting to the provider. The nurse should also monitor the adolescent's pain level and response to medication, and use nonpharmacological methods to reduce pain and anxiety.
  • D.Although this may raise concerns about renal injury, it is no a contraindication or cause for delay for the emergency surgical procedure.

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