An alert patient requires a nasogastric (NG) tube for abdominal decompression. The tube is placed to the appropriate depth, but the nurse is unable to hear a rush of air when auscultating over the patient’s stomach and cannot aspirate gastric contents for pH testing. Which of the following is the most appropriate next course of action?

Ask the patient to speak. An improperly placed NG tube may be in the trachea, which can be easily determined without re-positioning the tube. If the patient will be unable to produce sound when asked to speak, the tube has been advanced past the vocal cords. After this initial test, the next best approach is to change the position of the tubing then try again, as the tube may be in the patient’s esophagus or duodenum). If these initial techniques are unsuccessful, a chest x-ray may be helpful to determine the location of the tube.

An alert patient requires a nasogastric (NG) tube for abdominal d...

Category: Reduction of Risk Potential
Difficulty: 5

Topics: Gastrointestinal Respiratory Routes of Administration

Want help? View the answer with rationale.

Additional Reduction of Risk Potential Questions

The 68-year-old patient is admitted after 5 days of extremely foul-smelling watery diarrhea with a temperature of 37.9°C, heart rate 118 bpm, and blood pressure 98/52 mmHg. The patient’s recent medical history is significant for being treated 2 weeks ago for a diverticulitis flare-up. Upon assessment, the patient is pale, diaphoretic, and has a tense, distended abdomen that he does not guard with palpation. Lab studies reveal an elevated creatinine (1.9 mg/dL), high white blood cell count (20,000 cells/mL), and normal hemoglobin and hematocrit. The nurse prepares to perform which diagnostic test for this patient?

Question Type: Multiple Choice - Select One
Difficulty: 9

A 28-year-old female who is 12-weeks pregnant is concerned about her baby having a neural tube defect. Which of the following prenatal tests does the nurse anticipate?

Question Type: Multiple Choice - Select One
Difficulty: 6

The patient is receiving a transfusion of packed red blood cells. After 30 minutes, the patient complains of intense itching and flank pain. Upon assessment, the nurse notes a fever and tachycardia. Which of the following is the next best step in management?

Question Type: Multiple Choice - Select One
Difficulty: 3

Show Calculator

Want help? View the answer with rationale.

Rationale

Additional Reduction of Risk Potential Questions

Nursing Careers

Nursing Degrees

NCLEX