Which of the following indicates that a patient's NG tube may be displaced?

The correct indicator that a patient's nasogastric (NG) tube may be displaced is throat irritation. Throat irritation can occur when the NG tube has moved from its proper placement in the stomach, causing discomfort or irritation in the throat due to the tube's external contact or improper positioning.

When assessing an NG tube's placement, healthcare professionals monitor for signs that may suggest it has become misplaced. Throat irritation in this context could imply that the tube is improperly positioned in the airway rather than being correctly situated in the esophagus and entering the stomach.

Other options, while they may have clinical significance, do not specifically relate to NG tube displacement. Increased appetite is not a direct indicator of tube placement, as the patient may still experience hunger regardless of whether the tube is properly positioned or displaced. Unusual wind sounds can indicate various gastrointestinal or respiratory issues but are not specific markers of NG tube displacement, and the presence of a fever could suggest an infection or other systemic issues but does not indicate tube placement status. Thus, throat irritation serves as a more definitive warning sign of potential displacement.