When performing gastric lavage, which solution should a nurse use for irrigation?

When performing gastric lavage, the choice of irrigation solution is crucial to ensure patient safety and effectiveness of the procedure. Using 0.9% sodium chloride is appropriate because it is isotonic, which helps to maintain the osmotic balance in the gastrointestinal tract. This minimizes the risk of electrolyte imbalances or cellular damage that could occur if a hypotonic solution, like distilled water or tap water, were used.

Tap water, while not isotonic, is often considered acceptable in certain clinical settings for gastric lavage due to its availability and cost-effectiveness. However, it carries some risk of hemolysis if large volumes are used and if the factors of the patient's condition are not carefully considered.

Therefore, both 0.9% sodium chloride and tap water can be appropriate choices for gastric lavage in specific scenarios, leading to the conclusion that both solutions are acceptable for this procedure, while distilled water is generally avoided due to safety concerns.