Final answer:
To confirm NG tube placement prior to a bolus feeding, the nurse should verify tube placement by checking gastric pH. This method is appropriate because gastric fluid has a low pH which confirms that the tube is in the stomach. Other gastric content measurements or procedures like secretin administration are separate diagnostic tests and not routine checks for feeding.
Step-by-step explanation:
To ensure the safety and effectiveness of a nasogastric (NG) feeding, the nurse should assess correct placement of the NG tube prior to administering a bolus feeding. The recommended action here is to verify tube placement by checking gastric pH. Gastric fluid typically has a low pH, indicating acidity, which can be used to confirm that the tube is properly placed in the stomach. Merely administering the bolus feeding without further assessment is not safe, as the tube could be misplaced. While asking the client about discomfort is important for overall patient care, it is not a reliable method for confirming tube placement. Additionally, checking the tube's external length can be helpful, but should be done in conjunction with other more definitive methods like pH testing or x-ray confirmation.
Typically, measurement of gastric contents includes total chloride, occult blood, free HCl, lactic acid, bile pigments, and peptic activity to assess the stomach's normal functioning. In the procedure described, a tube is inserted through the throat into the stomach and small intestine; a hormone called secretin is administered to stimulate the duodenum, and the secretions are analyzed. This helps diagnose issues but is separate from the routine check prior to feeding.