Before initiating enteral feeding via an NG tube, which action must the nurse take first?

Confirming NG placement by x-ray study is a critical step before initiating enteral feeding because it ensures that the tube is correctly positioned in the stomach and not in the lungs or esophagus. This is vital for patient safety, as improper placement can lead to serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia.

Verifying placement via x-ray allows the healthcare provider to visualize the exact location of the NG tube, ensuring that it is functioning as intended. This is particularly important because if enteral feeding is initiated when the tube is improperly positioned, it could result in feeding into the lungs, leading to aspiration.

While warming the feeding, priming the tubing, and positioning the patient are also important steps in the enteral feeding process, they should only be performed after the NG tube placement has been confirmed to ensure patient safety and effective care.