The nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding to a client via a nasogastric feeding tube. The most important action of the nurse is:
A. Verify correct placement of the tube
B. Check that the feeding solution matches the dietary order
C. Aspirate abdominal contents to determine the amount of last feeding remaining in stomach
D. Ensure that feeding solution is at room temperature
Correct Answer: A. Verify correct placement of the tube
Proper placement of the tube prevents aspiration and entrance of food content into the lungs. The definitive way to ascertain the position of the nasogastric tube is through visualization by an x-ray. Another method is to aspirate stomach contents and check its pH (usually pH 1 to 5). Aspirated stomach content can also be tested for bilirubin to confirm it is placed in the stomach.
Option B: It is also important to check that the feeding solution matches the dietary order to ensure that the client gets proper nutrition.
Option C: Aspirating the gastric contents is one of the methods used to determine the last feeding amount in the stomach, but is not the most important action the nurse should do.
Option D: Keep it at room temperature so it would not upset the stomach.