A nurse is assisting with teaching a class of newly licensed nurses about the first phase of wound healing. Which of the following processes should the nurse include?

A. BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen):
Explanation: BUN is a measure of kidney function and hydration status. It is not typically elevated in response to a localized infection like a pressure ulcer.

B. WBC count (White Blood Cell count):
Explanation: An elevation in the WBC count is a common indicator of infection. Increased white blood cells suggest the body's immune response to an infection.

C. Potassium:
Explanation: Potassium levels are not typically used to indicate the presence of infection. Elevated potassium may be seen in conditions affecting kidney function.

D. RBC count (Red Blood Cell count):
Explanation: The RBC count is not a specific marker for infection. It is more related to issues such as anemia or oxygen-carrying capacity.

A. To confirm the placement of the NG tube:
Confirming NG tube placement is typically done using other methods, such as auscultation of air insufflation, pH testing, or X-ray. Gastric residual measurement helps assess the status of the stomach content but is not the primary method for confirming tube placement.

B. To determine the client's electrolyte balance:
While the gastric contents do contain electrolytes, the primary purpose of measuring gastric residual is to assess gastric emptying and potential feeding intolerance. It is not the most accurate method for determining overall electrolyte balance.

C. To identify delayed gastric emptying:
This is the correct and primary purpose. Measuring gastric residual helps in identifying if there's a delay in the stomach emptying the previously administered feeding, which can inform the nurse about the client's tolerance to enteral nutrition.

D. To remove gastric acid that might cause dyspepsia:
The process of measuring gastric residual doesn't involve removing gastric acid. It's more about assessing how much of the previously administered feeding remains in the stomach. If there's a high residual volume, it may suggest delayed emptying or feeding intolerance. The focus is on adjusting the feeding plan rather than removing gastric acid.