A patient with a nasogastric tube connected to suction is NPO (nothing by mouth) and reports a dry mouth and gagging feeling. What action should the nurse take?
a. Provide oral care.
b. Pull tube out 1 inch.
c. Offer ice chips to swallow.
d. Give lidocaine solution to coat the mouth.
ANS: A
Frequent oral care is needed for comfort for patients who are NPO with NG tubes as dry mouth is a continual concern. B. The nurse should not reposition the patient's nasogastric tube. C. The patient is NPO so ice chips would be contraindicated. D. There is no reason to provide lidocaine for the patient's mouth.
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