ATI: Nasogastric Tube

Question 1

Abdominal Distention

Answer 1

swelling in the area between the waist and the pelvis due to intestinal gas, overeating, or pathophysiological causes such as infection or hemorrhage

Question 2

Air Vent

Answer 2

a device or aperture that allows the entry or exit of air; on a nasogastric tube, a branch of the main tube that is always open to the air, providing continuous atmospheric air irrigation

Question 3

Antireflux Valve

Answer 3

a device that can also be inserted into a lumen of some types of nasogastric tubes to prevent the seepage of gastric contents out of the vented lumen

Question 4

Aspiration

Answer 4

inadvertent inhalation of fluid or other substances into the lungs; also, the withdrawal or removal, via a syringe or other apparatus, of a substance or material from the body

Question 5

Decompression

Answer 5

removal of stomach contents to relieve distention of the stomach and intestines caused by the accumulation of gastrointestinal air and fluid

Question 6

Epiglottis

Answer 6

the lid-like cartilaginous structure overhanging the entrance to the larynx and preventing food from entering the larynx and the trachea during swallowing

Question 7

Esophagitis

Answer 7

inflammation of the esophagus

Question 8

Esophagus

Answer 8

the musculomembranous passage extending from the pharynx to the stomach

Question 9

Flatus

Answer 9

gas or air generated in the stomach and/or intestines and expelled via the anus

Question 10

Gastric Aspirate

Answer 10

a substance or material obtained by withdrawal or removal, via a syringe and through a nasogastric, orogastric, or gastrostomy tube, from the patient’s stomach

Question 11

Ileus

Answer 11

mechanical or functional obstruction of the intestines

Question 12

Irrigant

Answer 12

a solution used for therapeutic irrigation or washing out of a body cavity or part

Question 13

Lavage

Answer 13

therapeutic irrigation or washing out of a body cavity or part

Question 14

Lipid Pneumonia

Answer 14

lung inflammation that develops when fat particles enter the bronchial tree

Question 15

Lumen

Answer 15

a cavity or bore of a tubular organ or part

Question 16

Methemoglobinemia

Answer 16

the presence of excessive methemoglobin (a non-oxygen-carrying pigment) in the blood

Question 17

Naris

Answer 17

one of the two external orifices of the nose; nostril (plural: nares)

Question 18

Nasogastric Tube

Answer 18

a hollow, flexible, cylindrical device, inserted through the nose and extending to the stomach or intestines, that has multiple functions including serving as a conduit for removing gastrointestinal fluids and gas or delivering enteral feedings or medications

Question 19

Nasopharynx

Answer 19

the portion of the pharynx (the passage between the mouth and posterior nares and the larynx and esophagus) lying above the level of the soft palate

Question 20

Parotid Glands

Answer 20

two salivary secretory organs located on either side of the face just below and in front of the ears

Question 21

Patency

Answer 21

the state of being open or unobstructed

Question 22

Peristalsis

Answer 22

the waves of contraction that propel contents through the gastrointestinal tract

Question 23

pH Test Strip

Answer 23

a disposable indicator that measures the acidity or alkalinity of a substance, with a low pH indicating acidity and a high pH indicating alkalinity

Question 24

Suction Pressure

Answer 24

the amount of negative force, measured in millimeters of mercury, used to propel air or fluid out of a body cavity or part

Question 25

Trachea

Answer 25

the cartilaginous and membranous tube that descends from the larynx and branches into the right and left main bronchi

Question 26

Tracheitis

Answer 26

inflammation of the trachea, the cartilaginous and membranous tube that descends from the larynx and branches into the right and left main bronchi

Question 27

Topical Anesthetic

Answer 27

a pain-relieving agent applied externally

Question 28

Uvula

Answer 28

the small, fleshy mass hanging from the soft palate above the root of the tongue