The nurse knows that initial verification of a nasogastric placement is important. Which method is considered the only reliable method to determine enteral tube placement?
a. Auscultation of air bolus
b. Measurement of pH of the aspirate
c. Radiographic image
d. Aspirate contents to visually inspect appearance
ANS: C
Studies support the use of radiographic confirmation as the only reliable method to date of confirming enteral tube placement. Using only pH and the appearance of aspirate from the newly inserted tube is not a safe method of verifying proper gastric tube placement, especially in patients receiving antacid medications. Auscultation of an air bolus to assess tube placement is no longer recognized as a reliable source in determining gastric tube placement.
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