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What would the nurse do if he or she encountered resistance when inserting a nasogastric tube?

A.

Ask the patient to cough

B.

Withdraw the tube to the nasopharynx

C.

Encourage the patient to swallow

D.

Instruct the patient to hyperextend the neck

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Rationale:
A. Asking the patient to cough is appropriate if the tube has entered the airway, but it is not the first action when resistance is encountered.
B. Withdrawing the tube to the nasopharynx is the correct action. Resistance usually means the tube has hit an obstruction (e.g., nasal passage, turbinates, or esophagus). Pulling back allows for repositioning and reinsertion without causing trauma.
C. Encouraging the patient to swallow is helpful after the tube has passed the oropharynx but not when resistance is met during early insertion.
D. Hyperextending the neck makes passage into the esophagus more difficult; flexion of the neck is recommended during insertion.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Rationale:
Step 1: Microdrip tubing delivers 60 gtt/mL.

Step 2: IV rate = 125 mL/hr.

Step 3: Convert to drops/min:
125 mL/hr × (60 gtt/mL) ÷ (60 min/hr) = 125 gtt/min

Final Answer: D. 125 gtt/min

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Rationale:
A. Examining the nares for patency and skin breakdown is important for safety but does not directly reduce discomfort during insertion.
B. Placing the patient in high-Fowler’s position promotes safe passage and reduces aspiration risk, but it does not specifically relieve discomfort.
C. Anesthetizing the throat (e.g., with a topical anesthetic spray or viscous lidocaine) can numb the mucosa, significantly reducing discomfort during NG tube insertion.
D. Having the patient sip water helps advance the tube once insertion has started, but it does not reduce the initial discomfort of tube passage.

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