The nurse is preparing to administer a liquid medication by a nasogastric feeding tube. What is the first thing the nurse should do?

a. Check placement of the tube.
b. Check the pH of the gastric aspirate.
c. Flush the tube with a small amount of water.
d. Give the medication and then flush with a small amount of water.


ANS: B
The most accurate way to check the position of the nasogastric tube is by checking the pH. Auscultation as a verification tool is reliable only 60% to 80% of the time and should not be used without additional methods. The tube should not be flushed or the medication administered until placement of the tube is checked.

Nursing

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