Before irrigating a client’s NGT the nurse must first.. check the tube for placement

Before irrigating a client’s NGT the nurse must first:

• a- assess breath sounds.
• b- instill 15 ml. Of normal saline.
• c- auscultate for bowel sounds.
• d- check the tube for placement***

The correct answer is: D. check the tube for placement.

Before irrigating a client's NGT, the nurse must first check the tube for placement. This is done by auscultating for air bubbles over the stomach after instilling a small amount of air into the tube. If air bubbles are heard, the tube is correctly placed. If no air bubbles are heard, the tube is not correctly placed and should be removed and replaced.

The other options are incorrect:

• A. Assessing breath sounds is not necessary before irrigating an NGT.
• B. Instilling 15 ml of normal saline is not necessary before irrigating an NGT.
• C. Auscultating for bowel sounds is not necessary before irrigating an NGT.

Once the nurse has checked the tube for placement, they can proceed with irrigation. This is done by instilling a small amount of normal saline into the tube and then flushing it out with a larger amount of normal saline. Irrigation should be done gently to avoid damaging the stomach lining.