Which procedure involves insertion of a tube through the nose into the stomach to withdraw fluid or provide nutrition?

• A. Nasogastric intubation
• B. Otoscopy
• C. Pap smear
• D. Mammography

Answer: (A)

Identifying a procedure that uses a tube inserted through the nose into the stomach for draining contents or delivering nutrition. Nasogastric intubation fits this description: a flexible tube is threaded through the nostril, down the esophagus, and into the stomach to withdraw gastric contents, decompress the stomach, or provide enteral nutrition. The other options serve different purposes—otoscopy is for examining the ear, Pap smear screens for cervical cell changes, and mammography is an imaging test of the breast—so they do not involve placing a tube into the stomach.