A nurse is creating a care plan for a patient with a nasogastric tube. How should the nurse direct other members of the care team to check correct placement of the tube?
- A. Auscultate the patients abdomen after injecting air through the tube.
- B. Assess the color and pH of aspirate.
- C. Locate the marking made after the initial x-ray confirming placement.
- D. Use a combination of at least two accepted methods for confirming placement.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: There are a variety of methods to check tube placement. The safest way to confirm placement is to utilize a combination of assessment methods.
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The nurse is preparing to insert a patients ordered NG tube. What factor should the nurse recognize as a risk for incorrect placement?
- A. The patient is obese and has a short neck.
- B. The patient is agitated.
- C. The patient has a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- D. The patient is being treated for pneumonia.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Inappropriate placement may occur in patients with decreased levels of consciousness, confused mental states, poor or absent cough and gag reflexes, or agitation during insertion. A short neck, GERD, and pneumonia are not linked to incorrect placement.
You are caring for a patient who was admitted to have a low-profile gastrostomy device (LPGD) placed. How soon after the original gastrostomy tube placement can an LPGD be placed?
- A. 2 weeks
- B. 4 to 6 weeks
- C. 2 to 3 months
- D. 4 to 6 months
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An alternative to the PEG device is a low-profile gastrostomy device (LPGD). LPGDs may be inserted 2 to 3 months after initial gastrostomy tube placement.
A nurse is writing a care plan for a patient with a nasogastric tube in place for gastric decompression. What risk nursing diagnosis is the most appropriate component of the care plan?
- A. Risk for Excess Fluid Volume Related to Enteral Feedings
- B. Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity Related to the Presence of NG Tube
- C. Risk for Unstable Blood Glucose Related to Enteral Feedings
- D. Risk for Impaired Verbal Communication Related to Presence of NG Tube
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NG tubes can easily damage the delicate mucosa of the nose, sinuses, and upper airway. An NG tube does not preclude verbal communication. This patients NG tube is in place for decompression, so complications of enteral feeding do not apply.
A patient is postoperative day I following gastrostomy. The nurse is planning interventions to address the nursing diagnosis of Risk for Infection Related to Presence of Wound and Tube. What intervention is most appropriate?
- A. Administer antibiotics via the tube as ordered.
- B. Wash the area around the tube with soap and water daily.
- C. Cleanse the skin within 2 cm of the insertion site with hydrogen peroxide once per shift.
- D. Irrigate the skin surrounding the insertion site with normal saline before each use.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Infection can be prevented by keeping the skin near the insertion site clean using soap and water. Hydrogen peroxide is not used, due to associated skin irritation. The skin around the site is not irrigated with normal saline and antibiotics are not administered to prevent site infection.
A patients health decline necessitates the use of total parenteral nutrition. The patient has questioned the need for insertion of a central venous catheter, expressing a preference for a normal IV. The nurse should know that peripheral administration of high-concentration PN formulas is contraindicated because of the risk for what complication?
- A. Chemical phlebitis
- B. Hyperglycemia
- C. Dumping syndrome
- D. Line sepsis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Formulations with dextrose concentrations of more than 10% should not be administered through peripheral veins because they irritate the intima (innermost walls) of small veins, causing chemical phlebitis. Hyperglycemia and line sepsis are risks with both peripheral and central administration of PN. PN is not associated with dumping syndrome.
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