The nurse is checking the aspirate for the patient receiving gastric tube feedings. The nurse notes the 200 mL of pale yellow and cloudy fluid with a pH of 7.3) Which action should the nurse take?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of 200 mL of pale yellow and cloudy fluid with a pH of 7.3 indicates a potential problem, such as delayed gastric emptying or possible infection. The pH value is higher than expected for gastric contents (which should be acidic, typically with a pH of 5.0 or less when fasting), suggesting the fluid may not be purely gastric in origin or that there is a significant delay in gastric emptying. Immediate cessation of feeding and notification of the prescribing provider is warranted to assess the situation and prevent complications.

The Nurse Is Checking the Aspirate for the Patient Receiving