Nasogastric Tubes
This position is best for inserting an NG tube.
What is high Fowler's position?
The nurse performs nasopharyngeal suctioning when this is observed in the patient.
What is visible or audible secretions or signs of respiratory distress?
This type of suction catheter is commonly used for oral suctioning.
What is a Yankauer (tonsil-tip) catheter?
A tracheostomy is commonly performed for this reason in patient's requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation.
What is to establish a long-term airway?
Tracheostomy suctioning is performed to maintain this.
What is a patent airway?
A gastrostomy tube is used for this purpose in patients who cannot swallow safely.
What is long-term enteral feedings?
This is the most reliable method for verifying initial NG tube placement in a hospital setting.
What is an abdominal x-ray?
The best position for a conscious patient during nasopharyngeal suctioning.
What is semi-Fowler's or high Fowler's position?
If unconscious, place in lateral position facing you?
The nurse knows to use this technique when inserting the Yankauer catheter into the mouth.
What is clean technique?
The nurse must keep this at the bedside of a patient with a tracheostomy at all times.
What is a tracheostomy obturator, suction equipment, and a spare trach tube?
The nurse should suction a trach when this is observed.
What are visible secretions, rhonchi, restlessness, or decreased O2 saturation?
If a patient's gastric residual is 300ml and their facility policy is to hold feeding above 250ml, the nurse should do this.
What is hold the feeding and notify the provider?
To prevent aspiration in a patient receiving continuous enteral feedings, the nurse must do these two things.
What are keep the head of bed elevated at least 30-45 degrees and pause feedings during repositioning?
The correct suction pressure for an adult during nasopharyngeal suctioning is within this range.
What is 100-150 mmHg?
The nurse should do this before starting oral suctioning to reduce hypoxia.
What is encourage deep breathing or provide supplemental oxygen if needed?
When performing trach care, the nurse should use this type of technique.
What is sterile technique?
The nurse should limit trach auctioning to this many passes to prevent mucosal damage.
What is 2-3 passes?
This type of skin care should be performed daily at the G-tube insertion site.
What is cleansing with mild soap and water, and keeping the area dry?
A nurse must administer multiple medications via NG tube. The nurse should do this between each drug?
What is flush the tube with 15-30ml of water?
The nurse must limit each suction pass to no more than this duration.
What is 10-15 seconds?
Suctioning should be stopped immediately if the patient shows this symptom.
What is oxygen desaturation, bradycardia, or distress?
The nurse provides humidified oxygen for this reason in a patient with a tracheostomy.
What is to prevent drying of airway secretions?
The nurse must do this when inserting the suction catheter into the tracheostomy.
What is insert without suction applied?
A newly inserted G-tube becomes dislodged. The nurse should take this immediate action.
What is cover the site and notify the provider immediately?
The nurse notes that an NG tube is not draining, and the patient is nauseated. Before calling the provider, the nurse should perform these actions.
What are reposition the patient, check for kinks, and attempt to irrigate the tube with Normal Saline?
To reduce hypoxia and trauma, the nurse should do this between suction passes.
What is allow time for recovery and provide supplemental oxygen as needed?
True or False: The nurse can delegate routine oral suctioning to a trained unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
What is True?
A patient's trach becomes dislodged during care. It is more than 72 hours post-insertion. The nurse's immediate action is this.
What is insert the spare trach tube using the obturator, or call respiratory therapy if unable?
After suctioning, the nurse should immediately reassess this.
What are lung sounds, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and effort?
The nurse teaches the patient to do this before administering G-tube feedings at home.
What is wash hands, check tube placement and residual, and flush the tube?