Health Promotion and Maintenance NCLEX RN Questions Related

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Which nursing intervention is most appropriate to maintain the patency of a client's nasogastric tube?

  • A. Maintain a constant connection to low-intermittent suction
  • B. Irrigate the tube as per physician's order
  • C. Suction the mouth and nose every shift
  • D. Perform a daily fecal occult blood sample
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to irrigate the tube as per physician's order. A client with a nasogastric tube is at risk of the tube kinking or clotting off, which can lead to complications such as abdominal distention or vomiting. To ensure the patency of the tube, the nurse should follow the physician's orders and facility policy to irrigate the tube with water or a solution as needed. Maintaining a constant connection to low-intermittent suction (Choice A) is not typically done to maintain tube patency. Suctioning the mouth and nose every shift (Choice C) is not directly related to maintaining nasogastric tube patency. Performing a daily fecal occult blood sample (Choice D) is unrelated to maintaining the patency of a nasogastric tube.