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A nurse is preparing to administer an intermittent enteral feeding through a small-bore NG tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take before initiating the feeding?

A.

Flush the tube with 5 mL of water.

B.

Test the pH of fluid aspirated from the tube.

C.

Inject air through the tubing and auscultate for gurgling sounds:

D.

Change the bag and tubing system every 12 hr

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Flush the tube with 5 mL of water:

Explanation: Flushing the tube with water is a routine practice before and after administering medications or feedings to maintain tube patency. However, it is not the primary action to confirm tube placement.

B. Test the pH of fluid aspirated from the tube (Correct Answer):

Explanation: Testing the pH of aspirated fluid helps confirm that the tube is in the stomach. A pH between 1 and 5 is generally indicative of gastric placement.

C. Inject air through the tubing and auscultate for gurgling sounds: 

Explanation: This method is an older practice and is not recommended as a reliable method for verifying tube placement. Testing the pH is a more accurate and preferred method.

D. Change the bag and tubing system every 12 hr:

Explanation: Changing the bag and tubing system every 12 hours is a routine practice to maintain the integrity of the enteral feeding system. However, it is not specifically related to the initial steps in verifying tube placement.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is ["0.5"]

Explanation

To calculate the volume (mL) that the nurse should administer, you can use the following formula:

Volume (mL)=Dose (g)/Concentration (g/mL)

In this case:

  • Volume=0.175 g/375 mg/mL
  • First, convert the dose to grams:
  • 0.175g=175mg

Now calculate the volume:

  • Volume = 175mg/375 mg/mL
  • Volume=0.4667mL

Rounded to the nearest tenth, the nurse should administer approximately 0.5 mL of ampicillin/sulbactam for the 0.175 g IM dose.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Beneficence:

Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing good or promoting the well-being of the patient. In this scenario, the nurse is respecting the client's autonomy rather than actively promoting a specific course of action.

B. Fidelity:

Fidelity refers to the principle of being faithful or keeping promises. While being truthful and honest with the client is important, the nurse's response is primarily addressing the client's autonomy.

C. Autonomy:

This is the correct answer. Autonomy is the ethical principle that emphasizes the individual's right to make decisions about their own care, including the right to refuse treatment. The nurse's response acknowledges and respects the client's autonomy in deciding to discontinue enteral feedings.

D. Justice:

Justice pertains to fairness and equitable distribution of resources. It is not the primary ethical principle being demonstrated in this scenario, as the focus is on the individual's right to make a decision about their own care.

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