What is the recommended intervention for checking feeding tube placement?

The recommended intervention for checking feeding tube placement is to draw gastric aspirate and compare pH. This method is widely accepted as a reliable way to confirm that the feeding tube is correctly positioned in the stomach rather than in the lungs or other areas.

Measuring the pH of gastric aspirate provides critical information about the contents of the stomach. Gastric secretions tend to have a pH of 1-4, which is distinctly more acidic than the pH of intestinal contents or respiratory secretions, making this method both specific and effective for ensuring proper tube placement.

Additionally, this approach is clinically significant because confirming tube placement is crucial in minimizing the risk of aspiration and ensuring the patient receives nutrition as intended. Using pH to verify placement is a straightforward, evidence-based practice that nurses can perform comfortably.

While other methods, such as flushing the tube with air or observing bowel sounds, may offer some insights into tube function, they lack the reliability and specificity of checking gastric aspirate pH. Checking residual volume is focused more on assessing digestive tolerance rather than confirming proper placement, making it unsuitable for this specific purpose.