After abdominal surgery a client returns to the unit with a nasogastric (ng) tube to low intermittent wall suction. the primary
healthcare provider prescribes an antiemetic every six hours as needed for nausea. when the client complains of nausea, what should the nurse do first? check for correct placement of the ng tube. administer the prescribed antiemetic. irrigate the ng tube with normal saline. notify the primary healthcare provider immediately.
The correct answer is: check for correct placement of the NG tube.
An adequately functioning nasogastric (NG) tube shouldprevent nausea and vomiting because stomach contents
are continuously being removed. Using the NG after abdominal surgery is a routine postoperative procedure until gastrointestinal tract start tofunction properly. The patency of the tube should be checked together with the amount and character of gastric drainage.
