NCLEX RN Practice Questions PDF Related

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The nurse has inserted a nasogastric tube and aspirated gastric contents to check the pH with color-coded pH paper. The aspirate is dark brown, and pH measures slightly less than 5 according to the color chart. What does this pH usually indicate?

  • A. Gastric aspirate
  • B. Intestinal aspirate
  • C. Respiratory aspirate
  • D. Inconclusive results
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A pH < 5 with dark brown aspirate indicates gastric placement (A). Intestinal aspirate (B) has pH > 6, respiratory (C) is > 7, and results are conclusive (D).