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A patient has a new order for intermittent nasogastric feedings every 4 hours. The nasogastric tube is placed by the nurse. What is the most accurate method for confirming the placement of the tube before initiating the feeding?

A.

Auscultate the right upper quadrant of the abdomen while injecting air into the tube.

B.

Obtain radiography of the abdomen

C.

Auscultate the left upper quadrant of the abdomen while injecting air into the tube.

D.

Check the pH of fluid aspirated from the tube.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Auscultating the right upper quadrant of the abdomen while injecting air into the tube is an outdated and unreliable method for confirming tube placement. This technique can lead to false positives and is not recommended.  
B. Obtaining radiography of the abdomen is a highly accurate method for confirming nasogastric tube placement but is not always the first-line method due to the need for imaging and exposure to radiation. However, it may be used if other methods are uncertain.  
C. Auscultating the left upper quadrant of the abdomen while injecting air into the tube is another outdated and unreliable method, similar to auscultating the right upper quadrant.  
D. Checking the pH of fluid aspirated from the tube is the most accurate and recommended method. Gastric fluid typically has a pH of 1.5 to 3.5, whereas respiratory or intestinal fluids have higher pH levels. Checking the pH is a simple and reliable way to confirm the placement of the nasogastric tube.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is ["104"]

Explanation

Convert days to hours:

  • 1 day 24 hours/day = 24 hours 1

Calculate the hourly rate:

  • 2500 mL / 24 hours = 104.1666... mL/hour

Round to the nearest whole number:

  • 104 mL/hour

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Documenting the patient's need for restraints is important but does not address the issue of restraining a competent patient against their will. This is an issue of patient rights and autonomy.
B. Not informing the patient is inappropriate, but the key issue is the lack of consent to be restrained, not just the failure to inform.
C. While failing to get a physician's order is critical for legal and safety reasons, the core issue here is the violation of the patient's autonomy and rights.
D. Restraining a competent patient against their will without consent is considered an intentional tort because it involves touching the patient in an unauthorized manner, which is a direct violation of their rights. This can result in legal action for assault or battery.

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