Nursing & Medical Chapter 32: High-Yield Concepts in Nasogastric,
Nasoenteric, Gastrostomy, and Jejunostomy Tube Management, Enteral &
Parenteral Nutrition, Bolus & Continuous Feedings, Aspiration Precautions,
Dysphagia, Stroke, Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, Head/Neck Trauma,
Therapeutic Diets, Clear & Full Liquids, Pureed & Mechanical Soft Diets,
Diet as Tolerated, Low-Residue & High-Fiber Diets, Residual Monitoring,
Medication Administration, Tube Clogging Prevention, Tube Dislodgment,
Infection Control, Lung & Bowel Assessment, Patient Safety, Clinical
Decision-Making, Evidence-Based Practice, and Critical Care Nursing Exam
Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales
Latest Updated 2026
1.
Of the patients listed below, which would be a candidate for nasoenteric feeding tube
placement?
a.
Post-motor vehicle accident victim with a broken nose and jaw
b.
Patient with a bleeding ulcer and possible esophageal varices
,c.
Elderly patient with a diagnosis of failure to thrive and an inability to chew
d.
Patient with an esophageal tumor
ANS:
C
Enteral nutrition, commonly called tube feeding, is the administration of nutrients through the
gastrointestinal tract when a patient cannot ingest, chew, or swallow, but can digest and absorb
nutrients. Nasoenteric tubes are contraindicated in patients with facial trauma, prolonged
bleeding, and upper gastrointestinal (GI) blockage (as is seen in cases of solid cancer).
DIF:
Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: Text reference: p. 845
OBJ:
Assess the patient who is to receive enteral tube feedings.
,TOP:
Indications/Contraindications for Nasoenteric Tube Insertion
KEY:
Nursing Process Step: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
2. The nurse has just inserted a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube into a patient. What should the
nurse do to definitely ascertain that the tube is in the stomach or in the intestine?
a.
Test the pH of the contents.
b.
Use a carbon dioxide sensor.
c.
Lower the head of the bed to 15 degrees.
d.
, Obtain an order for a chest radiograph.
ANS:
D
The most reliable method of feeding tube verification is a chest radiograph (chest x-ray). Gastric
and intestinal pH measurements have been shown to differentiate tube placement, with the
stomach having a lower pH than the intestines. This helps to ensure that the tube is beyond the
pylorus, theoretically reducing the risk for aspiration. This method is helpful before and after
radiological confirmation. Carbon dioxide sensors are helpful in determining tube placement
between the stomach and the lung. A small plastic piece with an embedded yellow sensor is
attached to the end of the feeding tube; the sensor changes color when carbon dioxide is
present. Investigators have shown that this reduces the incidence of inadvertent pulmonary
placement. This method is helpful before and after radiological confirmation. Elevation of the
head of the bed to a minimum of 30 degrees is a simple method used to keep the risk for
aspiration at a minimum. The nurse is instrumental in achieving this goal. This method does not
ascertain placement but may be useful in preventing aspiration.
DIF:
Cognitive Level: Application REF: Text reference: p. 845
OBJ:
Demonstrate ability to correctly insert a small-bore feeding tube.
TOP:
Nasoenteric, Gastrostomy, and Jejunostomy Tube Management, Enteral &
Parenteral Nutrition, Bolus & Continuous Feedings, Aspiration Precautions,
Dysphagia, Stroke, Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, Head/Neck Trauma,
Therapeutic Diets, Clear & Full Liquids, Pureed & Mechanical Soft Diets,
Diet as Tolerated, Low-Residue & High-Fiber Diets, Residual Monitoring,
Medication Administration, Tube Clogging Prevention, Tube Dislodgment,
Infection Control, Lung & Bowel Assessment, Patient Safety, Clinical
Decision-Making, Evidence-Based Practice, and Critical Care Nursing Exam
Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales
Latest Updated 2026
1.
Of the patients listed below, which would be a candidate for nasoenteric feeding tube
placement?
a.
Post-motor vehicle accident victim with a broken nose and jaw
b.
Patient with a bleeding ulcer and possible esophageal varices
,c.
Elderly patient with a diagnosis of failure to thrive and an inability to chew
d.
Patient with an esophageal tumor
ANS:
C
Enteral nutrition, commonly called tube feeding, is the administration of nutrients through the
gastrointestinal tract when a patient cannot ingest, chew, or swallow, but can digest and absorb
nutrients. Nasoenteric tubes are contraindicated in patients with facial trauma, prolonged
bleeding, and upper gastrointestinal (GI) blockage (as is seen in cases of solid cancer).
DIF:
Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: Text reference: p. 845
OBJ:
Assess the patient who is to receive enteral tube feedings.
,TOP:
Indications/Contraindications for Nasoenteric Tube Insertion
KEY:
Nursing Process Step: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
2. The nurse has just inserted a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube into a patient. What should the
nurse do to definitely ascertain that the tube is in the stomach or in the intestine?
a.
Test the pH of the contents.
b.
Use a carbon dioxide sensor.
c.
Lower the head of the bed to 15 degrees.
d.
, Obtain an order for a chest radiograph.
ANS:
D
The most reliable method of feeding tube verification is a chest radiograph (chest x-ray). Gastric
and intestinal pH measurements have been shown to differentiate tube placement, with the
stomach having a lower pH than the intestines. This helps to ensure that the tube is beyond the
pylorus, theoretically reducing the risk for aspiration. This method is helpful before and after
radiological confirmation. Carbon dioxide sensors are helpful in determining tube placement
between the stomach and the lung. A small plastic piece with an embedded yellow sensor is
attached to the end of the feeding tube; the sensor changes color when carbon dioxide is
present. Investigators have shown that this reduces the incidence of inadvertent pulmonary
placement. This method is helpful before and after radiological confirmation. Elevation of the
head of the bed to a minimum of 30 degrees is a simple method used to keep the risk for
aspiration at a minimum. The nurse is instrumental in achieving this goal. This method does not
ascertain placement but may be useful in preventing aspiration.
DIF:
Cognitive Level: Application REF: Text reference: p. 845
OBJ:
Demonstrate ability to correctly insert a small-bore feeding tube.
TOP:
