NG tube and Ice Chips

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Can a patient with a NG tube with intermittent suction have Ice Chips?

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Is there an NPO order? what do they have the NG for?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Depends on why they have an NGT and what the physician's orders are. If NPO, then no, ice chips are not allowed.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

The NG tube is not a contraindication, in and of itself, to ice chips--the liquid will just get sucked back out. As mentioned, look at the doctor's orders. Is it "NPO," "NPO except ice chips," and, my favorite, "NPO with chips and sips."

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Can a patient with a NG tube with intermittent suction have Ice Chips?

Yes with MD order only and in moderation.

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Specializes in Pedi.
Can a patient with a NG tube with intermittent suction have Ice Chips?

What do the orders say? An NG tube in and of itself is not a contraindication to ice chips... or to POs in general. In pediatrics we have kids who have NGs all the time for supplementation but are allowed to PO. However, in this case the NG is to suction so anything the patient consumes will be sucked back out. Sometimes they are allowed ice chips because it makes them feel better to put something in their mouths. Other times they are strictly NPO.

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It's a practice question. The NG and Ice chip belongs to one of the answer choices. I do not know what the answer is. The question that I'm reading is:

The nurse observes the CNA doing the following tasks. Which of the following observations would require immediate intervention by the nurse?

a. CNA put a 6 oz. cup of ice chips in a client's room with a NG tube to intermittent suction

b. the CNA encourages the client that an appendectomy how to use the incentive spirometry that was given to him after surgery.

As I practice for the NCLEX, I understand that the real life is different from what is taught from the books. I have seen one of my patient's during a clinical rotation with an NG (no suctioning) and was able to take oral meds/beverages only if he was able to swallow that day. Which led me to wanting to choose 'B' because CNA's cannot monitor, evaluate, assess, and teach. A word is missing in 'B' (?) so I'm assuming it should say CNA is 'teaching' how to use the IS???

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Specializes in Pedi.
It's a practice question. The NG and Ice chip belongs to one of the answer choices. I do not know what the answer is. The question that I'm reading is:

The nurse observes the CNA doing the following tasks. Which of the following observations would require immediate intervention by the nurse?

a. CNA put a 6 oz. cup of ice chips in a client's room with a NG tube to intermittent suction

b. the CNA encourages the client that an appendectomy how to use the incentive spirometry that was given to him after surgery.

As I practice for the NCLEX, I understand that the real life is different from what is taught from the books. I have seen one of my patient's during a clinical rotation with an NG (no suctioning) and was able to take oral meds/beverages only if he was able to swallow that day. Which led me to wanting to choose 'B' because CNA's cannot monitor, evaluate, assess, and teach. A word is missing in 'B' (?) so I'm assuming it should say CNA is 'teaching' how to use the IS???

Are those the only two choices? How is B worded verbatim in the question- the way it is copied here doesn't make sense. Is the CNA encouraging a patient who had an appendectomy TO use the IS or is she instructing him on HOW to use it? If it's the latter, she cannot do that as teaching is outside of the CNA's scope.

Also, for NCLEX purposes you are to consider the ideal situation, not reality. Things are different at NCLEX Hospital.

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That's how the question/choices are worded :( Hence, the reason for my confusion. I eliminated the other two choices. There are a total of four choices.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

What were the other two?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
It's a practice question. The NG and Ice chip belongs to one of the answer choices. I do not know what the answer is. The question that I'm reading is:

The nurse observes the CNA doing the following tasks. Which of the following observations would require immediate intervention by the nurse?

a. CNA put a 6 oz. cup of ice chips in a client's room with a NG tube to intermittent suction

b. the CNA encourages the client that an appendectomy how to use the incentive spirometry that was given to him after surgery.

As I practice for the NCLEX, I understand that the real life is different from what is taught from the books. I have seen one of my patient's during a clinical rotation with an NG (no suctioning) and was able to take oral meds/beverages only if he was able to swallow that day. Which led me to wanting to choose 'B' because CNA's cannot monitor, evaluate, assess, and teach. A word is missing in 'B' (?) so I'm assuming it should say CNA is 'teaching' how to use the IS???

Ok now it makes sense....I really need to other two choices to really answer this.

Here is what I see....people with a NGT can have ice chips however the CNA can only say...remember to use you spirometer...they CAN NOT show them how.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Float Pool Nursing.

Yes, you can even instil ice or slush straight down the NG tube as needed. This is an effective treatment for hyperthermia because it helps to lower their core temperature.

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