Confirming Placement of a Nasogastric Tube

A client has had a nasogastric tube inserted in preparation for tube feedings. When developing the client's plan of care, the nurse would anticipate checking the placement of the tube at which time?

Before administering a medication through the tube

A nurse has just inserted a nasogastric tube in a client. Which method is most reliable for verifying the correct placement of the tube?

Radiographic confirmation of position

A nurse has just received a client's laboratory results and is reviewing them. Which finding should the nurse recognize as an indication of malnutrition or malabsorption?

Serum albumin 2.8 g/dL (28 g/L)

A nurse aspirates a small amount of fluid from a client's nasogastric tube. The nurse determines that the tube is in the intestines based on the aspirate being which color?

Straw-colored

After inserting a nasogastric tube, what should the nurse do to ensure that the tube is properly placed in the client?

Test the pH of aspirated content