What does a gastric lavage do?

A gastric lavage is a medical procedure primarily used to cleanse the stomach by flushing it with a saline solution. It involves using a pump to introduce fluid into the stomach and then removing it, along with any contents that may be present, such as toxins or ingested substances. This procedure is often employed in cases of poisoning, overdose, or to clear out material that may pose a risk to the patient’s health.

The other options do not accurately represent the purpose of a gastric lavage. While draining blood from the stomach may be a function of certain medical procedures, it is not the goal of gastric lavage. Removing food from the stomach is a separate process and does not specifically involve the same techniques used in lavage. Instilling medication into the stomach may occur in veterinary practices but is not the primary function of gastric lavage, which focuses on cleaning rather than treatment.