Evolve HESI Practice Exam

What is the safest nursing action when giving medications through a nasogastric feeding tube?

1. Mix multiple medications together to save time

2. Administer medications in one bolus

3. Mix each medication individually

4. Skip medications if they require more than one tube

The correct answer is: Mix each medication individually

The safest nursing action when giving medications through a nasogastric feeding tube is to mix each medication individually. This approach minimizes the risk of drug interactions and ensures that each medication is delivered effectively and absorbed appropriately. Different medications may have varying pH levels, viscosity, or stability when mixed together, which can lead to precipitation or incompatibility, ultimately affecting the efficacy of the medications. By administering each medication separately, the nurse can monitor the patient for any adverse reactions, allow sufficient flushing between medications to prevent blockage of the tube, and ensure that each dose is fully delivered. This method aligns with best practices for medication administration via enteral feeding tubes, emphasizing patient safety and optimal therapeutic outcomes. Using a single bolus for multiple medications, mixing medications together, or omitting doses altogether can lead to a host of complications and potentially unsafe situations for the patient, making those options less favorable.