A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric (NG) tube in place for gastric decompression and notes that the tube is not draining. Which of the following steps should the nurse take first?

Reposition the NG tube.

Inject 20 mL of air and aspirate in the NG tube.

Instill an irrigation solution slowly.

Check the functioning of the suction equipment.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A reason: Repositioning the NG tube is a later step; checking suction function is first, as equipment failure is a common cause of no drainage. Assuming repositioning is initial risks delaying simple fixes, potentially prolonging discomfort, critical to avoid in ensuring effective gastric decompression.

Choice B reason: Injecting air and aspirating is a troubleshooting step but follows checking suction equipment, which may resolve no drainage. Assuming air injection is first risks unnecessary intervention, potentially causing discomfort, critical to prevent in ensuring efficient NG tube management for gastric decompression.

Choice C reason: Instilling irrigation solution is a later step after confirming suction function, as equipment issues are more common. Assuming irrigation is first risks clogging or discomfort, critical to avoid in ensuring proper NG tube function and effective gastric decompression in clients with non-draining tubes.

Choice D reason: Checking suction equipment function is the first step for a non-draining NG tube, as equipment failure is a common issue, easily corrected. This ensures effective decompression, critical for preventing gastric distention, supporting client comfort, and guiding further troubleshooting in managing NG tube care.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: A semi-sitting position for meals is impractical in a hip spica cast, risking discomfort or aspiration; turning every 2 hours prevents pressure injuries. Assuming semi-sitting is correct risks complications, critical to avoid in ensuring safe positioning and care for children in spica casts.

Choice B reason: Maintaining dependent lower extremities increases edema risk in a hip spica cast; turning every 2 hours promotes circulation. Assuming dependent positioning is correct risks swelling, critical to prevent in ensuring proper cast care and comfort for children with hip spica casts.

Choice C reason: A bedside commode is unsuitable for a hip spica cast, which covers the pelvis; bedpans are used. Turning every 2 hours is key. Assuming a commode is appropriate risks impracticality, critical to avoid in ensuring proper toileting and care in spica cast management.

Choice D reason: Turning every 2 hours prevents pressure ulcers and promotes circulation in a child with a hip spica cast, critical for skin integrity and comfort. This ensures proper cast care, reducing complications, supporting healing, and maintaining safety in pediatric orthopedic management.

A. Elevate the head of the client’s bed to 45°. B. Assess the client’s peripheral pulses every 15 minutes. C. Change the client’s dressing 4 hours following the procedure. D. Instruct the client to flex the right knee every 30 minutes.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Elevating the bed to 45° increases bleeding risk at the femoral site post-catheterization; flat positioning is preferred. Assessing pulses is priority. Elevating risks hematoma, critical to avoid in ensuring vascular safety, monitoring for complications, and supporting recovery in immediate postoperative cardiac catheterization care.

Choice B reason: Assessing peripheral pulses every 15 minutes post-femoral catheterization monitors for arterial occlusion or bleeding, critical for detecting complications like hematoma or thrombosis. This ensures timely intervention, essential for vascular integrity, preventing limb ischemia, and supporting safe recovery in the immediate postoperative period.

Choice C reason: Changing the dressing 4 hours post-catheterization is premature unless soiled; initial monitoring of pulses is priority. Assuming dressing change is urgent risks disrupting the site, increasing bleeding, critical to avoid in ensuring site stability and vascular safety in immediate post-catheterization care.

Choice D reason: Flexing the right knee is contraindicated post-femoral catheterization, risking site disruption or bleeding; leg immobility is required. Assessing pulses is key. Instructing flexion risks hematoma, critical to prevent in ensuring vascular safety, monitoring complications, and supporting recovery in postoperative cardiac catheterization clients.

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A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric (NG) tube in place for gastric decompression and notes that the tube is not draining. Which of the following steps should the nurse take first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a child who has a hip spica cast. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative immediately following a cardiac catheterization with a right femoral approach. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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