ATI Comprehensive Exit Exam Test Bank Related

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A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client who has a nasogastric (NG) tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

  • A. Check for tube placement.
  • B. Flush the NG tube with 0.9% sodium chloride.
  • C. Administer the medications as a bolus.
  • D. Dissolve the medications in 30 mL of sterile water.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct first action for the nurse to take when preparing to administer medications to a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube is to check for tube placement. This step is crucial to ensure that the NG tube is correctly positioned in the stomach and not in the respiratory tract, reducing the risk of aspiration. Flushing the NG tube with 0.9% sodium chloride, administering the medications as a bolus, or dissolving the medications in sterile water should only be done after confirming the proper placement of the NG tube. Therefore, options B, C, and D are incorrect as they precede the essential step of verifying tube placement.