Postoperative Nursing Care: Managing a Nasogastric Tube – Flashcards

The nurse is caring for a patient with a nasogastric tube (NG) that was inserted 8 hours ago. To best determine if the NG tube is having a positive effect on the patient, the nurse should first: 1. Auscultate the patient's abdomen for bowel sounds. 2. Observe the color and consistency of the NG tube's output. 3. Assess the patient for reports of nausea and/or abdominal pain. 4. Determine the amount of output the NG tube has produced over the past 8 hours.

When providing management for a patient with an NG tube attached to low suction, the nurse should perform which of the following when preparing to auscultate for bowel sounds? 1. Initially palpate the abdomen. 2. Turn the suction off while listening. 3. Position the patient in a supine position. 4. Measure the gastric output presently available.

Which of the following statements made by a nurse shows the best understanding of the role of unlicensed ancillary staff in providing NG tube management for a patient who was admitted with reports of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain? 1. "Remember to aspirate 5-10 ml of stomach content before flushing the tube." 2. "Has the patient complained of anything related to the NG tube's placement?" 3. "When was the last time the patient was given oral care?" 4. "Please see if the NG tubing has advanced at all."

The nurse is caring for a patient who recently experienced the insertion of an NG tube for reports of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Which of the following is the most therapeutic response to the patient's report that, "I can feel this tube and it is not very comfortable?" 1. "I'm sorry that it is uncomfortable, but it will make you feel better." 2. "When the cause of the problem is determined, the tube can come out." 3. "That uncomfortable sensation the tube is causing will subside in time." 4. "The tube will drain the stomach contents and you will feel much better."

Which of the following nursing actions is best suited to evaluate the external placement of an NG tube when the patient asks, "Is this tube still where it is supposed to be?" 1. Assessing the abdomen for rigidity and/or distention 2. Measuring the amount of gastric output in the collection unit 3. Checking the pen mark on the tube in relationship to the nostril 4. Auscultating the abdomen for the presence of normal bowel sounds