Question

a nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding to a client who has an ng tube in place. which of the following methods should the nurse use to verify correct placement of the ng tube?

• check the ph of the gastric aspirate
• observe the color of the gastric aspirate after adding blue dye to the formula.
• auscultate over the epigastrium.
• measure the length of the inserted ng tube

Explanation:

To verify NG tube placement, checking gastric aspirate pH is reliable (gastric pH is acidic, usually 1 - 4.5). Adding blue dye is not standard. Auscultation (listening for air) is inaccurate. Measuring inserted length alone doesn't confirm placement in stomach/intestine. So the correct method is checking pH of gastric aspirate.

Answer:

A. Check the pH of the gastric aspirate