Certified Transport Registered Nurse Certification Practice Exam

What protocol should be followed if experiencing gastrointestinal distress prior to transport?

1. Administer oral pain relief

2. Restrict all food and drink

3. Insert an NG tube for stomach decompression

4. Encourage deep breathing exercises

The correct answer is: Insert an NG tube for stomach decompression

In cases of gastrointestinal distress prior to transport, inserting a nasogastric (NG) tube for stomach decompression is a critical intervention. This procedure effectively alleviates symptoms associated with gastric distension, such as nausea and vomiting, by allowing for the drainage of excessive stomach contents. This can also prevent further complications, such as aspiration, which can be particularly dangerous during transport. While administering oral pain relief may seem beneficial, it's important to consider that in the presence of gastrointestinal distress, it may not be advisable to provide oral medications due to the risk of further complicating the distress or inadvertently causing more discomfort. Restricting all food and drink is generally a standard approach when gastrointestinal issues are present, but it does not address the immediate relief needed for the patient. Deep breathing exercises may help calm the patient but do not directly address the underlying issue of gastrointestinal distress, making them less relevant in addressing the situation.