A nurse is caring for a patient who needs a nasogastric (NG) tube for stomach decompression. Which of the following steps should the nurse take when inserting the NG tube?
Position the patient with the head of the bed elevated to 30 degrees prior to insertion of the NG tube.
Remove the NG tube if the patient begins to gag or choke.
Apply suction to the NG tube prior to insertion.
Encourage the patient to take sips of water to facilitate the insertion of the NG tube into the esophagus.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
While elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees can be helpful in some procedures, it is not the most crucial step when inserting a nasogastric (NG) tube. The primary goal is to ensure the tube enters the esophagus and not the trachea.
Choice B rationale
If a patient begins to gag or choke during the procedure, it may indicate that the tube has entered the trachea instead of the esophagus. However, removing the NG tube immediately might not always be the best course of action. It’s important to first assess the situation, reposition the patient, and attempt to advance the tube while the patient swallows.
Choice C rationale
Applying suction to the NG tube prior to insertion is not a standard practice. Suction is typically applied after the NG tube has been properly placed and secured, to remove gastric contents for therapeutic (decompression) or diagnostic (analysis) purposes.
Choice D rationale
Encouraging the patient to take sips of water can facilitate the insertion of the NG tube into the esophagus. Swallowing helps guide the tube down into the esophagus instead of the trachea.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Pupil clarity is not typically used to assess an older adult client’s risk for falls. It is more relevant in neurological assessments.
Choice B rationale
The appearance of gait is a crucial factor in assessing an older adult client’s risk for falls. Abnormalities in gait can increase the risk of falls.
Choice C rationale
Visual fields are important in assessing an older adult client’s risk for falls. Impaired visual fields can increase the risk of falls.
Choice D rationale
Visual acuity is important in assessing an older adult client’s risk for falls. Poor visual acuity can increase the risk of falls.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
This statement is incorrect. Advance directives do not allow the court to overrule an adult client’s refusal of medical treatment. They are legal documents that provide instructions for medical care and only go into effect if the individual cannot communicate their own wishes.
Choice B rationale
This statement is correct. Advance directives indicate the form of treatment a client is willing to accept in the event of a serious illness. They allow individuals to express their preferences about medical treatment at some point in the future, should they become unable to communicate their wishes.
Choice C rationale
This statement is incorrect. Advance directives do not permit a client to withhold medical information from health care personnel. They are used to communicate the individual’s wishes about medical treatment to their healthcare providers and family.
Choice D rationale
This statement is incorrect. Advance directives do not specifically allow health care personnel in the emergency department to stabilize a client’s condition. They are used to guide choices for doctors and caregivers if the individual is terminally ill, seriously injured, in a coma, in the late stages of dementia or near the end of life.
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