Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions Related

Review Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions related questions and content

Which of the following techniques would the nurse use first to determine if a nasogastric tube is positioned in the stomach?

  • A. Aspirating with a syringe and observing for the return of gastric contents.
  • B. Irrigating with normal saline and observing for the return of solution.
  • C. Placing the tube's free end in water and observing for air bubbles.
  • D. Instilling air and auscultating over the epigastric area for the presence of the tube.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Aspirating with a syringe and observing for the return of gastric contents. This technique is used first because it directly confirms the tube's placement by withdrawing gastric contents. If the tube is in the stomach, gastric contents will be aspirated.

Choice B is incorrect because irrigating with normal saline does not confirm the tube placement in the stomach. Choice C is incorrect because placing the tube's free end in water and observing for air bubbles is not an accurate method to confirm stomach placement. Choice D is incorrect because instilling air and auscultating over the epigastric area may not provide definitive confirmation of tube placement in the stomach.