Fundamentals Proctor ATI Exam Study Set With
Key Tips and Verified Answers to Maximize Scores
What is a nasogastric tube?
A nasogastric (NG) tube is a flexible, hollow tube that is passed into the stomach via the nasopharynx.
What can we use a nasogratic tube for?
It can be used to remove gas, fluids, or toxic substances from the stomach; to diagnose gastrointestinal
problems; to obtain secretions; or to administer fluids and nutrients into the stomach.
percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)
a tube inserted in the stomach via incision in the abdominal wall
Gastric Gavage
is a means of supplying nutritional substance via a small plastic tube direct to the stomach.
Gastric Gavage nursing interventions
Keep head of the bed elevated at least 30 degrees: help prevent aspiration or gastric reflux.
Aspirating gastric contents and testing it with a pH paper is an appropriate way to check NG tube
placement. The PH paper is a special paper strip that turns yellow or red when the fluid is acid such as
that found in the stomach- this is a pH 0-5.
Gastric Lavage
Gastric lavage often is used in cases of poisoning or to stop gastrointestinal bleeding, and involves
instilling room-temperature medications or solutions into the stomach and then suctioning it back out.
Gastric Decompression
The purpose of gastric decompression is to remove the air and fluids that build up when gastrointestinal
motility is slowed. It is used frequently after surgery to help with the distention that may occur and to
prevent nausea and vomiting.
Inserting a NG Tube: Delegation to UAP
The skill of irrigating an NG tube requires the critical thinking and knowledge of a nurse; this task should
not be delegated to UAP.
, The skill of removing an NG tube requires the critical thinking and knowledge of a nurse; this task should
not be delegated to UAP.
Normal bowel elimination depends on several factors:
balanced diet, ingesting high fiber foods, daily fluid intake of 2000-3000mL, activities to promote muscle
tone and peristalsis
Why should the nurse document the patient's stool color, consistency, and amount?
To identify individual pattern
Why does the nurse note how often the patient has a bowel movement?
To identify pattern of normalcy
Why is long-term us of laxatives detrimental to normal bowel function?
May eventually cause the intestines to lose the ability to respond to the pressure of stool in the rectum,
and may result in chronic constipation
How to promote a normal pattern of elimination:
establish a routine time for defecation
encourage the patient to heed the urge to defecate
allow the patient to sit on a commode or, if he or she is in bed, in a Fowler's position because this is the
customary position for defecation.
afford the patient as much privacy as possible, and avoid continually "checking on" the patient, because
this may make the patient uncomfortable and not provide an environment conducive for defecation.
Causes of hemorrhoids (swollen and inflamed veins in the anus and lower rectum)
straining during bowel movements, increased pressure during pregnancy, due to heavy lifting
How can the nurse assist the patient to prevent hard stools?
Proper diet, fluids, and regular exercise improve the likelihood of soft stools
How does a sitz bath help the patient with hemorrhoids?
Local heat provides temporary relief to swollen hemorrhoids
Rectal tube/flatulence
In hospitalized patients, flatulence is often caused by decreased peristalsis, abdominal surgery, some
narcotic medications, and decreased physical activity
Effective way to treat rectal tube/flatulence and perstalsis
walking
cleansing enema
Key Tips and Verified Answers to Maximize Scores
What is a nasogastric tube?
A nasogastric (NG) tube is a flexible, hollow tube that is passed into the stomach via the nasopharynx.
What can we use a nasogratic tube for?
It can be used to remove gas, fluids, or toxic substances from the stomach; to diagnose gastrointestinal
problems; to obtain secretions; or to administer fluids and nutrients into the stomach.
percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)
a tube inserted in the stomach via incision in the abdominal wall
Gastric Gavage
is a means of supplying nutritional substance via a small plastic tube direct to the stomach.
Gastric Gavage nursing interventions
Keep head of the bed elevated at least 30 degrees: help prevent aspiration or gastric reflux.
Aspirating gastric contents and testing it with a pH paper is an appropriate way to check NG tube
placement. The PH paper is a special paper strip that turns yellow or red when the fluid is acid such as
that found in the stomach- this is a pH 0-5.
Gastric Lavage
Gastric lavage often is used in cases of poisoning or to stop gastrointestinal bleeding, and involves
instilling room-temperature medications or solutions into the stomach and then suctioning it back out.
Gastric Decompression
The purpose of gastric decompression is to remove the air and fluids that build up when gastrointestinal
motility is slowed. It is used frequently after surgery to help with the distention that may occur and to
prevent nausea and vomiting.
Inserting a NG Tube: Delegation to UAP
The skill of irrigating an NG tube requires the critical thinking and knowledge of a nurse; this task should
not be delegated to UAP.
, The skill of removing an NG tube requires the critical thinking and knowledge of a nurse; this task should
not be delegated to UAP.
Normal bowel elimination depends on several factors:
balanced diet, ingesting high fiber foods, daily fluid intake of 2000-3000mL, activities to promote muscle
tone and peristalsis
Why should the nurse document the patient's stool color, consistency, and amount?
To identify individual pattern
Why does the nurse note how often the patient has a bowel movement?
To identify pattern of normalcy
Why is long-term us of laxatives detrimental to normal bowel function?
May eventually cause the intestines to lose the ability to respond to the pressure of stool in the rectum,
and may result in chronic constipation
How to promote a normal pattern of elimination:
establish a routine time for defecation
encourage the patient to heed the urge to defecate
allow the patient to sit on a commode or, if he or she is in bed, in a Fowler's position because this is the
customary position for defecation.
afford the patient as much privacy as possible, and avoid continually "checking on" the patient, because
this may make the patient uncomfortable and not provide an environment conducive for defecation.
Causes of hemorrhoids (swollen and inflamed veins in the anus and lower rectum)
straining during bowel movements, increased pressure during pregnancy, due to heavy lifting
How can the nurse assist the patient to prevent hard stools?
Proper diet, fluids, and regular exercise improve the likelihood of soft stools
How does a sitz bath help the patient with hemorrhoids?
Local heat provides temporary relief to swollen hemorrhoids
Rectal tube/flatulence
In hospitalized patients, flatulence is often caused by decreased peristalsis, abdominal surgery, some
narcotic medications, and decreased physical activity
Effective way to treat rectal tube/flatulence and perstalsis
walking
cleansing enema
