What method should a nurse use to verify the placement of an NG tube?

The most reliable method for verifying the placement of a nasogastric (NG) tube is to measure the pH of the aspirate collected from the tube. When an NG tube is properly placed in the stomach, the gastric contents usually have a low pH, typically between 1 and 5. This low pH indicates that the tube is in the correct position, as it confirms that the tube is in contact with stomach acids.

Testing the pH provides a direct and objective measure of the tube's placement, making it a crucial step in ensuring patient safety and preventing complications, such as aspiration if the tube is misplaced in the pulmonary system.

While checking the amount of aspirate, assessing respiratory rate, or using a stethoscope to listen for bowel sounds can provide some information, they are not reliable indicators of proper NG tube placement. The amount of aspirate alone does not confirm placement, and the respiratory rate does not reflect the position of the tube in the gastrointestinal tract. Listening for bowel sounds does not provide definitive evidence of tube placement, as bowel sounds can be present regardless of the tube’s actual location in the stomach or trachea. Thus, measuring the pH of aspirate is the most appropriate and effective method for