Chapter 15 The Gastrointestinal System Review Questions Related

Review Chapter 15 The Gastrointestinal System Review Questions related questions and content

An important nursing intervention for a patient with a small intestinal obstruction who has an NG tube is to

  • A. offer ice chips to suck PRN.
  • B. provide mouth care every 1 to 2 hours.
  • C. irrigate the tube with normal saline every 8 hours.
  • D. keep the patient supine with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: provide mouth care every 1 to 2 hours. This is crucial to maintain oral hygiene and comfort for the patient with an NG tube to prevent complications like dry mouth and infection. Offering ice chips (choice A) may worsen the obstruction. Irrigating the tube with normal saline (choice C) can disrupt the bowel and is not recommended. Keeping the patient supine with the head of the bed elevated (choice D) is a general measure but not specific to NG tube care.