Which of the following is the first step in a nasogastric tube feeding procedure?

The first step in a nasogastric tube feeding procedure is to wash hands. Hand hygiene is a critical practice in any medical procedure to prevent infection and ensure safety for both the patient and the healthcare provider. Proper handwashing eliminates potential pathogens and is essential before handling any medical equipment or administering treatments.

Following handwashing, other procedural steps include verifying the feeding solution, aspirating gastric contents to confirm tube placement, and documenting the client's response, but these steps come after establishing cleanliness and reducing the risk of contamination through hand hygiene.