A nurse in a provider's office is caring for a client who has a gastric ulcer caused by Helicobacter pylori. The nurse should anticipate that in addition to cimetidine and sucralfate, the provider will prescribe which of the following?

A. Perform leg exercises every 2 hr: This is a good practice for any postoperative patient to prevent blood clots and maintain circulation. It's especially important for patients who might be relatively immobile due to surgery.

B. Irrigate the nasogastric tube every 4 to 8 hr: This is generally not a standard procedure. Nasogastric tubes are typically used for drainage or feeding. If there's a blockage or other issue, healthcare providers might intervene, but routine irrigation is not commonly done.

C. Maintain bed rest for 48 hr following surgery: While some rest might be necessary immediately after surgery, the trend in modern healthcare is to encourage mobility as soon as it's safe. Early mobilization can prevent complications such as blood clots and aid in recovery.

D. Encourage hourly use of an incentive spirometer while awake: Incentive spirometry is often encouraged postoperatively to prevent lung complications like atelectasis. Regular use helps keep the lungs expanded and functioning optimally.

E. Document the color, consistency, and amount of nasogastric drainage: This is crucial. Monitoring the drainage can provide important information about the patient's condition, such as bleeding or the effectiveness of the treatment. Any changes should be reported to the healthcare provider.

A. Avoid replacing the NG tube if it is accidentally dislodged:After a gastrectomy, improper placement or reinsertion of the NG tube can disrupt the surgical site, leading to complications such as bleeding, leakage, or perforation. If the tube is accidentally dislodged, the nurse should notify the surgeon or provider, as reinsertions in postoperative gastric surgery clients are typically performed under their direction.

B. Irrigate the blue pigtail port with sterile saline:The blue pigtail port (air vent) of a double-lumen NG tube (e.g., Salem sump) should not be irrigated with saline because it functions as an air vent to prevent suction from damaging the stomach lining.

C. Verify tube placement by injecting air into the larger lumen:Injecting air to verify NG tube placement is no longer considered a reliable or evidence-based practice. Placement should be verified by other methods, such as aspiration of gastric contents, pH testing, or radiographic confirmation, especially in postoperative clients.

D. Avoid the nares when providing hygiene care:Hygiene care for the nares is essential to prevent skin breakdown and discomfort in clients with an NG tube. Neglecting the nares could lead to excoriation, pressure injuries, or infection.