A nurse is caring for a client in a long-term care facility who is receiving enteral feedings via an NG tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take prior to administering the tube feeding?

A. Test the pH of gastric aspirate: Verifying tube placement before administering an enteral feeding is essential for client safety. Testing gastric aspirate for a pH of 1 to 5 confirms that the tube is in the stomach, reducing the risk of aspiration from misplaced feeding. B. Place the client in low Fowler's position: Low Fowler’s position increases the risk of aspiration. The client should instead be positioned in high Fowler’s or at least 30–45 degrees during and after feeding to promote safe digestion and airway protection. C. Warm the feeding solution to body temperature: Feeding solutions should be at room temperature to reduce the risk of cramping or diarrhea. Warming to body temperature is unnecessary and could encourage bacterial growth if improperly heated. D. Discard any residual gastric contents: Residual contents should be measured, documented, and returned to the stomach unless volumes are excessive. Discarding residuals unnecessarily can cause electrolyte imbalances and disrupt nutrient delivery.