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?
Flush the tube with 5 mL of water.
Test the pH of fluid aspirated from the tube.
Inject air through the tubing and auscultate for gurgling sounds:
Change the bag and tubing system every 12 hr
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Completing an incident report is an important step to document the error, but the immediate priority is to assess the client's condition and address any potential adverse effects. Incident reporting can follow once the immediate assessment and interventions are completed.
B. Checking the client's vital signs is the first action to take. The nurse needs to assess the client's physiological response to the double dose, as some medications can have significant effects on vital signs. Monitoring vital signs provides crucial information to determine the client's stability and whether additional interventions are needed.
C. Notifying the charge nurse of the error is an important step, but checking the client's vital signs takes precedence to ensure the client's immediate safety. The charge nurse can be informed after the initial assessment.
D. Documenting the facts of the incident in the nurse's notes is important, but it comes after assessing the client and taking immediate actions to address any potential harm. Documenting the incident helps maintain a comprehensive record and contributes to the overall understanding of the event.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Use of the Braden scale for clients who are immobile.
The Braden Scale is a widely used tool for assessing the risk of pressure ulcer development. It includes various factors such as sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear. For clients who are immobile, the Braden Scale helps identify their risk for skin breakdown and guides the implementation of preventive measures.
B. Daily weighing of clients who have heart failure:
Daily weighing of clients with heart failure is important for monitoring fluid status, but it is not specifically focused on decreasing the risk of skin breakdown. Skin breakdown is more closely related to factors such as immobility, pressure, and friction.
C. Documentation of PAINAD scale for clients who have dementia:
The PAINAD scale is used to assess pain in clients with advanced dementia. While managing pain is important for overall well-being, it is not a direct measure for decreasing the risk of skin breakdown. Skin breakdown prevention is more related to factors like pressure relief and moisture management.
D. Implementation of incentive spirometry for clients who are postoperative:
Incentive spirometry is primarily aimed at promoting lung expansion and preventing respiratory complications after surgery. While postoperative care is essential, it does not directly address the risk of skin breakdown. Skin breakdown prevention involves interventions related to pressure relief, repositioning, and skin care.
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