Quiz: Irrigating a Nasogastric Tube Connected to Suction
A nurse is irrigating a client's nasogastric tube. Place the following steps in the correct order. Use all options.
1)Check placement of the nasogastric tube. 2)Draw up 30 mL of irrigation solution into a syringe. 3)Clamp the nasogastric tube near the connection site. 4)Hold the syringe upright, and gently insert the irrigant. 5)Hold the end of the nasogastric tube over an emesis basin. 6)Inject air into the blue air vent.
When irrigating a nasogastric (NG) tube, how many mL of irrigating solution would the nurse usually instill into the tube unless another amount is prescribed?
30 mL
The nurse is following the protocol for irrigating a client's nasogastric (NG) tube. Before attaching the syringe to irrigate the tube, which action would be most important for the nurse to do?
Check tube placement.
In what position would the nurse hold the syringe when instilling irrigation solution into the nasogastric (NG) tube?
Downward at a 90-degree angle.
4A nurse is caring for a client recovering from abdominal surgery who is experiencing paralytic ileus. The client has a nasogastric tube connected to suction. How often should the nurse irrigate this tube?
Every 4 to 8 hours
The nurse meets resistance when irrigating a nasogastric tube. What action does the nurse take?
Flush with a small amount of air.
When a nurse meets resistance while irrigating a nasogastric tube, the nurse should assess the client for which sign/symptom?
Gastric fullness.
The nurse is preparing to irrigate the client's nasogastric (NG) tube. Which statement accurately describes the proper method of injecting irrigation solution into an NG tube?
Inject the solution slowly with gentle force.
The nurse irrigates a client's nasogastric tube with 20 mL of air. The nurse assesses for which outcome?
flushing the nasogastric tube easily
The nurse has completed irrigation of a nasogastric tube connected to suction. Which step would the nurse perform following the injection of irrigation solution into a client's nasogastric tube?
Connect the unclamped NG tube back to the suction unit.
The nurse is preparing to irrigate a client's NG tube. Which would the nurse include when teaching the client about this procedure?
"You may feel cold solution going down your throat, but it should not hurt."
When irrigating a nasogastric tube, the nurse does not get a return after instilling irrigation solution and reconnecting the tube back to the suction unit. What would be the nurse's next step in this situation?
Instill 20 mL of air into the tube and aspirate again.
The nurse is not successful in attempting to irrigate a nasogastric tube. The nurse repositions the client and tries to flush the tube with air and water multiple times without success. What action does the nurse take next?
Notify the health care provider.
The nurse is irrigating a nasogastric (NG) tube connected to suction for a client undergoing gastric decompression and meets resistance after attaching the irrigation syringe to the NG tube. Which would be most appropriate for the nurse to do first?
Reposition the client and try again.
The nurse has difficulty irrigating a nasogastric tube. The nursing interventions are successful, and the nurse irrigates the tube. Which finding indicates to the nurse that the client tolerated the procedure well?
gastric gurgling
