What pH finding should the nurse use to confirm the correct placement of a client's NG tube?

When confirming the correct placement of a nasogastric (NG) tube, the pH of the aspirate obtained from the stomach is a critical indicator. The gastric secretions typically have a pH range between 1 and 5 due to the presence of hydrochloric acid.

A pH of 3 is within this normal range, making it a reliable confirmation of the tube's placement in the stomach. In practice, healthcare providers aim for a lower pH value when aspirating from the stomach, as this suggests that the tube is appropriately situated in the gastric environment, which is highly acidic.

While a pH of 1 indicates high acidity, and thus may also suggest proper positioning, it is less commonly seen in aspirate samples. A pH of 5, though closer to neutral, could indicate that the tube may not be in the stomach but rather in a less acidic environment, such as the duodenum or the respiratory tract, where the pH is higher. Lastly, a pH of 7 or higher would typically indicate the presence of alkaline fluid, which confirms that the tube is not in the stomach and is likely misplaced.

Therefore, pH 3 is the best answer as it confirms the NG tube