When caring for a patient with a nasogastric tube, the nurse should verify placement by:

The correct answer to the question "When caring for a patient with a nasogastric tube, the nurse should verify placement by:" is Option B: Aspirating gastric contents and checking pH (should be 1-5), with X-ray being the gold standard for initial placement.

The other options — A) Listening for air bubbles over the abdomen is definitive, C) Flushing with water, D) Checking tube length only — are incorrect for this NCLEX-RN Exam Prep question. As explained above: NGT verification: gold standard = x-ray for initial placement. Ongoing: aspirate contents (gastric pH 1-5 acidic, intestinal 6+, respiratory 7+), check external tube marking/length. Auscultation alon…