A nurse is assessing for correct placement of a client's NG feeding tube prior to administering a bolus feeding.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Insert air in the tube and listen for gurgling sounds in the epigastric area
Aspirate contents from the tube and verify the pH level
Review the medical record for previous x-ray verification of placement
Auscultate the lungs for adventitious breath sounds
The Correct Answer is B
Aspirate contents from the tube and verify the pH level.
- A. This is an incorrect action. Inserting air in the tube and listening for gurgling sounds in the epigastric area is not a reliable method to confirm NG tube placement, as it can produce falsepositive results due to air entering the stomach or intestines.
- B. This is a correct action. Aspirating contents from the tube and verifying the pH level is a valid method to confirm NG tube placement, as gastric contents typically have a pH of less than 5.5, while intestinal or respiratory contents have a higher pH.
- C. This is an incorrect action. Reviewing the medical record for previous x-ray verification of placement is not sufficient to confirm NG tube placement, as the tube can migrate or become dislodged after insertion. X-ray verification should be done initially and whenever there is doubt about the tube's position.
- D. This is an incorrect action. Auscultating the lungs for adventitious breath sounds is not a specific method to confirm NG tube placement, as it can indicate other conditions such as pneumonia or pulmonary edema. It can also miss signs of respiratory complications due to NG tube misplacement, such as pneumothorax or bronchial obstruction.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
- A. Heart rate 136/min is a normal finding for a newborn. The normal range of heart rate for a newborn is 100 to 160/min.
- B. Nasal flaring is an abnormal finding for a newborn. Nasal flaring indicates respiratory distress and may be caused by conditions such as pneumonia, meconium aspiration, or congenital heart defects.
- C. Transient strabismus is a normal finding for a newborn. Transient strabismus is a temporary misalignment of the eyes that occurs due to weak eye muscles and poor coordination. It usually resolves by 3 to 6 months of age.
- D. Overlapping of sutures is a normal finding for a newborn. Overlapping of sutures is caused by molding of the skull during delivery and allows the head to fit through the birth canal. It usually resolves within a few days after birth.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
A client who had blood drawn from the right antecubital area 1 hour ago does not require blood pressure measurement from the left arm. Blood drawing from one arm does not affect the accuracy of blood pressure measurement in the opposite arm.
Choice B rationale:
A client who has a right peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line should have blood pressure measured from the opposite arm to avoid disrupting the PICC line.
Choice C rationale:
A client who had dialysis and is using an arteriovenous shunt in the left lower forearm should have blood pressure measured from the opposite arm. Using the arm with an arteriovenous shunt for blood pressure measurement can lead to inaccurate readings and potentially damage the shunt, disrupting the client's dialysis treatment.
Choice D rationale:
A client who had a right hemisphere stroke does not necessarily require blood pressure measurement from the left arm. Stroke location does not impact the choice of the arm for blood pressure measurement; other factors, such as vascular access devices or medical procedures, are more relevant in this context.
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