When administering an enteral feeding via a nasogastric tube, what is the most critical first step?

The most critical first step when administering an enteral feeding via a nasogastric tube is to verify the correct placement of the tube. This is essential because if the tube is not correctly positioned, there is a risk of the feeding solution entering the lungs instead of the stomach, which can lead to serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia. Ensuring proper placement is crucial for patient safety and the effective delivery of nutrition.

Verifying tube placement typically involves checking residuals, aspirating gastric contents, or using other methods such as pH testing of the gastric aspirate. Once proper placement is confirmed, healthcare providers can be more confident in proceeding with the feeding according to the dietary orders and preparing the feeding solution appropriately.