A patient is to receive medication through a nasogastric tube. What is the most important nursing action to ensure effective absorption?

Question

a. Thoroughly shake the medication before administering.
b. After all medications are administered, flush tube with 15 to 30 mL of water.
c. Position patient in the supine position for 30 minutes.
d. Clamp suction for 30 to 60 minutes after medication administration.

Answer 1

ANS: D
Absorption time for a medication administered through a nasogastric (NG) tube is the same as for an oral medication: 30 to 60 minutes. Therefore, the nurse would need to hold the suction for that amount of time to let the medication absorb. Thoroughly shaking the medication mixes the medication before administration but does not affect absorption. Flushing the medications ensures that all were administered. Patients with NG tubes should never be positioned supine but instead should be positioned at a 30- to 90-degree angle to prevent aspiration, provided no contraindication condition is known.