ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

Examples of nasogastric (NG) tubes include which of the following?

1. Swan-Ganz and Salem-sump

2. Swan-Ganz and Levin

3. Salem-sump and Levin

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

The correct answer identifies that all of the listed tubes are relevant examples of nasogastric (NG) tubes used for various medical purposes. Specifically, NG tubes are inserted through the nose and into the stomach to provide nutritional support, medication administration, or gastrointestinal decompression. The Salem-sump tube is specifically designed for gastric decompression and can also be used for suction. Its construction includes dual lumens, which allow for air venting while providing continuous drainage. The Levin tube, which is a single-lumen tube, is commonly used for gastric decompression and feeding. Its relatively simple design makes it effective for short-term use. The Swan-Ganz catheter, however, is not an NG tube; it is a specialized catheter used for pulmonary artery monitoring and assessing hemodynamics in critically ill patients. Including it in the choice creates confusion because it serves a different purpose related to cardiovascular monitoring rather than gastrointestinal access. While choices containing the Swan-Ganz catheter might seem accurate, the context of identifying NG tubes specifically allows for the conclusion that only the Salem-sump and Levin are appropriate mentions in this context.