Question

Which assessment data would provide the most accurate determination of proper placement of a nasogastric tube?Which assessment data would provide the most accurate determination of proper placement of a nasogastric tube?

A) Aspirating stomach contents and testing pH.
B) Measuring the length of the inserted tube.
C) Monitoring the client's comfort level.
D) Auscultating air insertion through the tube into the stomach.

Answer 1

Aspirating stomach contents and testing pH would provide the most accurate determination of proper placement of a nasogastric tube.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most accurate determination of proper placement of a nasogastric tube can be obtained by option A) aspirating stomach contents and testing pH.

When a nasogastric tube is properly placed in the stomach, aspirating stomach contents and testing the pH of the fluid can confirm that the tube is in the correct location. Stomach contents typically have a low pH (acidic) due to the presence of gastric acid, whereas fluids from other areas of the body, such as the respiratory tract or small intestine, would have a different pH.

Measuring the length of the inserted tube (option B), monitoring the client's comfort level (option C), and auscultating air insertion through the tube into the stomach (option D) may provide some clues but are less reliable methods for determining proper placement.