Mr. A, a 72-year-old male, is 2 days postop small bowel resection. His NG tube is connected to continuous low wall suction and has drained 75 mL of tan-colored fluid. Vital signs at 0600: T 99.6 deg F. What is the purpose of connecting the NG tube to continuous low wall suction?
1) To prevent the accumulation of gastric secretions
2) To promote healing of the surgical site
3) To reduce the risk of infection
4) To monitor the patient's fluid balance