The nurse is preparing to administer a feeding via a nasogastric tube. The nurse would perform which of the following before initiating the feeding? A. Assess for tube placement by aspirating stomach content B. Place the patient in a left-lying position C. Administer feeding with \(50 \% \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}\) concentration D. Ensure that the feeding solution has been warmed in a microwave for 2 minutes

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The correct procedure to follow before initiating a feeding via a nasogastric tube is to assess for tube placement by aspirating stomach content.

Step by step solution

01

Option A: Assess for tube placement by aspirating stomach content

Before initiating the feeding process, it is essential to ensure that the nasogastric tube is correctly placed in the patient's stomach. Aspirating stomach content and verifying its pH (it should be acidic, between 1 and 5.5) helps in confirming the proper placement of the tube. Therefore, this step is correct.
02

Option B: Place the patient in a left-lying position

Placing the patient in a left-lying position is not a necessary step before initiating a feeding via a nasogastric tube. The correct position would be to elevate the head of the bed at an angle between 30-45 degrees to prevent aspiration. Hence, this step is incorrect.
03

Option C: Administer feeding with 50% H2O concentration

Feeding solutions should have specific compositions based on the patient's nutritional needs and medical condition. Administering a feeding with a 50% water concentration without knowing the patient's specific requirements would not be appropriate. In addition, the concentration of water has no direct relation to the need for assessing the tube placement before administering the feeding. Therefore, this step is incorrect.
04

Option D: Ensure that the feeding solution has been warmed in a microwave for 2 minutes

Warming the feeding solution might be a good practice for patient comfort. However, using a microwave to heat a feeding solution is not recommended as it could lead to uneven heating and create hot spots that might cause injury to the patient. The appropriate method would be to use a water bath or let the solution reach room temperature. Moreover, it does not relate to tube placement, which is the essential step before administering the feeding. Thus, this step is incorrect. Conclusion: The correct answer is Option A - Assess for tube placement by aspirating stomach content.

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