What is one of the purposes of gastric intubation?

Gastric intubation serves several critical purposes in medical practice, and one of its primary functions is to administer medications directly into the stomach. This method allows for rapid absorption of the medication and is particularly useful in situations where patients may be unable to take oral medications due to various conditions, such as unconsciousness, nausea, or vomiting. Directly delivering medications via a gastric tube can ensure that the proper dosage reaches the patient quickly and effectively. This method is often preferred in emergency situations or for patients who have difficulty swallowing, as it improves the efficiency of treatment delivery and facilitates better management of the patient's medical condition.

The other options, while related to medical care, do not align with the primary functions of gastric intubation. For instance, measuring heart rate typically requires monitoring devices rather than gastric access, while conducting ECG testing involves electrodes on the skin to assess cardiac rhythm, and checking blood sugar levels necessitates blood samples rather than gastric tube use. Thus, administering medications is the most relevant and appropriate purpose associated with gastric intubation.