Final answer:
The correct answer is A) pH 2, which is indicative of proper gastric placement due to the highly acidic environment of the stomach, ranging from a pH of 1 to 2.
Step-by-step explanation:
When checking the pH of gastric contents, a pH indicative of proper placement in the stomach is pH 2. The pH scale is an inverse logarithm that ranges from 0 to 14. Anything below 7.0 is considered acidic, and the environment in the stomach is highly acidic, ranging from a pH of 1 to 2. Therefore, answer A) pH 2 is indicative of proper gastric placement.
The stomach produces a highly acidic environment so that it can break down food and kill harmful bacteria. The stomach lining is adapted to withstand this acidic environment, and mucous cells secrete a protective mucus. However, the intense acidity means that the cells in the stomach lining cannot survive for very long and are constantly being replaced, with a full turnover every seven to ten days.