A nurse is caring for a client who requires an NG tube. After inserting the tube, the nurse tests the pH of the client's aspirate. Which of the following pH levels should the nurse identify as an indication of correct placement of the tube?

A. Assist the client to low Fowler's position:
Placing the client in a semi-upright or low Fowler's position during and after the feeding helps prevent aspiration and facilitates digestion. This position reduces the risk of regurgitation and reflux.

B. Warm the feeding solution to body temperature:
Ensuring the feeding solution is at room temperature or slightly warmer can enhance the client's comfort and reduce the risk of cramping or discomfort caused by cold fluids.

C. Discard any residual gastric contents:
Before initiating a new feeding, it's essential to check and discard any residual gastric contents from the previous feeding to prevent contamination, ensure accurate measurement, and minimize the risk of bacterial growth.

D. Test the pH of gastric aspirate:
Checking the pH of gastric aspirate is an important step to confirm the proper placement of the NG tube in the stomach. Gastric pH is typically acidic (pH less than 5), indicating the correct placement of the tube in the stomach rather than the respiratory tract, where the pH is higher (more alkaline).

A. Pneumonia:
Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can lead to aspiration, where food or liquids enter the airway and lungs instead of the stomach. This can result in pneumonia, an infection of the lungs. Clients with dysphagia are at an increased risk of developing pneumonia due to the aspiration of foreign material into the lungs.

B. Pressure Injury:
Pressure injuries (formerly known as pressure ulcers or bedsores) are caused by prolonged pressure on the skin, usually over bony prominences. Dysphagia itself is not directly related to pressure injuries. These injuries are more commonly associated with immobility and constant pressure on specific areas of the body.

C. Pulmonary Embolism:
Pulmonary embolism is a blockage of the pulmonary artery, usually by a blood clot that travels to the lungs from the legs or other parts of the body. While dysphagia is not directly associated with pulmonary embolism, conditions that cause immobility (such as being bedridden due to dysphagia) can contribute to the risk of developing blood clots.

D. Diarrhea:
Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing and is not directly related to diarrhea. Diarrhea is often associated with gastrointestinal issues, infections, or dietary factors. Monitoring for complications of dysphagia would primarily focus on respiratory issues, such as aspiration pneumonia.