Final answer:
When inserting a tube, patients are instructed to flex their head forward and swallow with a small sip of water to safely guide the tube into the esophagus. Tube placement is verified by aspirating stomach contents to confirm correct positioning and to avoid complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
When inserting a tube, we instruct the patient to flex their head forward, take a small sip of water, and swallow because these actions help guide the tube into the esophagus rather than the trachea. Tilting the head forward narrows the opening to the trachea (windpipe) and widens the opening to the esophagus, which is where the tube needs to go. Swallowing also helps to naturally guide the tube down the correct pathway. Additionally, sipping water can facilitate the movement of the tube with the swallowing action.
To verify tube placement after insertion, health professionals often aspirate stomach contents to ensure the tube has reached the stomach and is not in the lungs. The aspirated contents are usually acidic and may be tested with pH strips. If the tube is misplaced, it could lead to serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia. Therefore, accurate verification of tube placement is crucial for patient safety.