Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 78%
Full-length
A client with a laryngectomy returns from surgery with a nasogastric tube in place. The primary reason for placement of the nasogastric tube is to:
Correct answer
B
Rationale
A nasogastric tube post-laryngectomy decompresses the stomach, preventing vomiting and aspiration, which could stress the surgical site. Swelling, contamination, and mucosa healing are secondary.