A nurse is contributing to the plan of care of a client who is postoperative following a gastrectomy and has a double-lumen nasogastric (NG) tube. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
Avoid replacing the NG tube if it is accidentally dislodged.
Irrigate the blue pigtail port with sterile saline.
Verify tube placement by injecting air into the larger lumen.
Avoid the nares when providing hygiene care.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Avoid replacing the NG tube if it is accidentally dislodged: After a gastrectomy, improper placement or reinsertion of the NG tube can disrupt the surgical site, leading to complications such as bleeding, leakage, or perforation. If the tube is accidentally dislodged, the nurse should notify the surgeon or provider, as reinsertions in postoperative gastric surgery clients are typically performed under their direction.
B. Irrigate the blue pigtail port with sterile saline: The blue pigtail port (air vent) of a double-lumen NG tube (e.g., Salem sump) should not be irrigated with saline because it functions as an air vent to prevent suction from damaging the stomach lining.
C. Verify tube placement by injecting air into the larger lumen: Injecting air to verify NG tube placement is no longer considered a reliable or evidence-based practice. Placement should be verified by other methods, such as aspiration of gastric contents, pH testing, or radiographic confirmation, especially in postoperative clients.
D. Avoid the nares when providing hygiene care: Hygiene care for the nares is essential to prevent skin breakdown and discomfort in clients with an NG tube. Neglecting the nares could lead to excoriation, pressure injuries, or infection.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","D","E"]
Explanation
A. Perform leg exercises every 2 hr: Performing leg exercises every 2 hours is essential for preventing blood clots and maintaining circulation in immobile patients. This is especially important after surgery to prevent complications like deep vein thrombosis.
B. Irrigate the nasogastric tube every 4 to 8 hr: Irrigating the nasogastric tube is not a standard nursing practice and should not be done without a physician's order. The nasogastric tube is typically used for decompression, drainage, or feeding. If the tube becomes clogged or there are concerns about drainage, the nurse should contact the healthcare provider for further instructions.
C. Maintain bed rest for 48 hr following surgery: While some bed rest might be necessary immediately after surgery, the goal is to encourage mobility as soon as possible to prevent complications such as atelectasis and deep vein thrombosis. Patients are usually encouraged to mobilize as soon as they are medically stable, often within hours after surgery.
D. Encourage hourly use of an incentive spirometer while awake: Using an incentive spirometer helps prevent atelectasis and promotes lung expansion after surgery. Encouraging the patient to use the incentive spirometer hourly while awake is a common nursing intervention to maintain respiratory function postoperatively.
E. Document the color, consistency, and amount of nasogastric drainage: Documenting the color, consistency, and amount of nasogastric drainage is crucial for monitoring the patient's condition. Changes in these factors could indicate bleeding, infection, or other complications, and timely documentation helps healthcare providers assess the patient's status and make appropriate interventions.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Keep the head of the bed elevated at 15 degrees.
This is not sufficient for preventing aspiration and ensuring proper digestion. The head of the bed should be elevated at least 30 degrees to reduce the risk of aspiration and promote better digestion of enteral feedings.
B. Place enough formula in the feeding bag to last for 8 hr of continuous feeding: It is recommended to change the feeding formula and bag every 24 hours. Placing formula for an extended period can increase the risk of bacterial growth.
C. Flush the tube with 30 ml of water every 4 hr: Regular flushing of the tube helps maintain patency, prevents clogging, and ensures proper hydration. Flushing every 4 hours is a standard practice for continuous feeding.
D. Change the feeding bag and tubing every 72 hr: Feeding bags and tubing should be changed more frequently, typically every 24 hours, to reduce the risk of infection.
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