Verifying Feeding Tube Placement

Front 1

Q is tube placement verified for intermittently fed clients?

Back 1

*q initially inserted
*before each feeding
*before each med is given

Front 2

What should be done after checking aspirate for correct placement?

Back 2

Flush tube with water p checking residual volume.

Front 3

Q is tube placement verified for continuously fed clients?

Back 3

At least once q 4 to 12 hours, before medication administration

Front 4

How long should the nurse wait after medication administration to check aspirate?

Back 4

At least one hour

Front 5

What does the nurse do first when aspirating fluid via the feeding tube?

Back 5

Draw up 30 ml of air into 60 ml syringe, flush tube w/ 30 ml of air before aspirating fluid

Front 6

After air is flushed in, what does the nurse do q aspirating fluid?

Back 6

Draw back on syringe SLOWLY and obtain 5 to 10 ml of aspirate for pH testing; observe appearance of aspirate

Front 7

After fluid is aspirated, what does the nurse do next to verify placement?

Back 7

Mix aspirate carefully, place a few drops of aspirate on pH strip, compare c chart

Front 8

What should the pH be for gastric fluid?

Back 8

1.0 to 4.0

Front 9

What should the pH be for the NI tube?

Back 9

Greater than 6.0

Front 10

If fluid cannot be aspirated, an x-ray was done to verify placement, no risk factors for tube dislocation, client has no difficulty, and the tube is in the original taped position can the nurse assume the tube is correctly placed?

Back 10

Yes.

Front 11

When should the tube be irrigated?

Back 11

Before giving meds, between different medications, and after the final medication before feedings are restarted.