What is a nursing intervention to prevent aspiration in a client with an NG tube?

Monitoring the client's positioning continuously is a critical nursing intervention to prevent aspiration in a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube. Keeping an appropriate position — typically, the client should be in an upright or semi-upright position — significantly reduces the risk of aspiration. This positioning helps prevent the reflux of gastric contents and potential entry into the trachea and lungs. Continuous monitoring ensures that the client remains in the safest position, particularly during feeding or medication administration through the NG tube, where the risk of aspiration is heightened.

Regular checks on the position of the client enable quick interventions if they begin to slide down or if positioning changes due to mobility or other factors. Therefore, maintaining vigilance in monitoring is fundamental in reducing the risk of aspiration-related complications in clients receiving care with an NG tube.