The nurse is caring for a client who has a bowel obstruction and a new prescription for the insertion of a nasogastric tube. Which of the following interventions should the nurse take when inserting the nasogastric tube?

Correct Answer: C - Instruct the client to place his chin to his chest and swallow.

Rationale: Instructing the client to place his chin to his chest and swallow helps facilitate the passage of the nasogastric tube through the esophagus and into the stomach. This action helps to relax the throat muscles and aids in the insertion process. It also helps prevent the tube from entering the trachea, reducing the risk of aspiration.

Incorrect Choices:
A: Placing the client in a supine position is incorrect as it does not aid in the insertion of the nasogastric tube and may increase the risk of aspiration.
B: Withdrawing the tube if the client gags during insertion is incorrect as gagging is a normal response and does not necessarily indicate a need to stop the insertion process.
D: Measuring the tube for insertion from the tip of the nose to the umbilicus is incorrect as this measurement is typically used for nasogastric tube placement for