Why we use nasogastric tube

In these situations, the NG tube is used to prevent nausea, vomiting, or gastric distension, or to wash the stomach of toxins. Do this by occluding one side and asking the patient to sniff. Ask the patient about previous injuries or history of a deviated septum. If either nostril is equally suitable, select the nostril closest to the suction. Auscultate for bowel sounds. Patient must be able to follow instructions related to NG insertion to allow for passage of tube through nasal and gastrointestinal tracts.

Check appropriate orders relevant to patient safety. This should be commensurate with the reason for the NG tube. This allows the NG tube to pass more easily through the nasopharynx and into the stomach. Raise bed to a comfortable working height. This helps prevent biomechanical injury to the health care provider. Agree on a signal the patient can use if they wish you to pause during the procedure. This procedure can be anxiety-provoking and uncomfortable for many patients.

Providing a means for the patient to communicate discomfort and a desire to pause during the procedure helps alleviate anxiety. Nasal and oral secretions may be evident during the procedure. Provide patient with drinking water and a straw if the patient is not fluid restricted. Sipping water through a straw helps to initiate the swallowing reflex and facilitate passing of NG tube.

You will use your dominant hand to insert the tube. Measure distance of the tube from. This determines the appropriate length of NG tube to be inserted. Never use non-water-soluble lubricant e. Apply clean non-sterile gloves. Using gloves decreases the transfer of microorganisms.

Colour-coded pH paper is usually used, as an initial and interim check, to confirm that acidic contents are present. Then an X-ray is taken to confirm placement prior to using NG tube for feeding. If the pH is more than 6, it may indicate the presence of respiratory fluids or small bowel content, and the tube should be removed. An NG tube should be removed if it is no longer required.

The process of removal is usually very quick. Prior to removing an NG tube, verify physician orders. During the trial, the patient should not experience any nausea, vomiting, or abdominal distension. Gloves must be worn while starting an NG; and if the risk of vomiting is high, the operator should consider face and eye protection as well as a gown.

Trauma protocol calls for all team members to wear gloves, face and eye protection and gowns. All necessary equipment should be prepared, assembled and available at the bedside prior to starting the NG tube. Basic equipment includes:. List of Partners vendors.

A nasogastric NG tube is a flexible tube of rubber or plastic that is passed through the nose, down through the esophagus, and into the stomach. It can be used either to remove substances from or add them to the stomach.

An NG tube is meant to be used only on a temporary basis and is not for long-term use. NG tubes after surgery for inflammatory bowel disease IBD used to be common and were placed as a matter of course. It's now thought that an NG tube is not always needed for every type of surgery or for every patient. Before having surgery, discuss the NG tube with a surgeon to find out if one will be placed after surgery, or if there are any circumstances or complications that can arise that will mean an NG tube is needed.

An NG tube might be put in place for several reasons, including:. Not everyone who has surgery for IBD also has an NG tube: It depends on the reason for the surgery and the decision of the surgical team. Sometimes an NG tube is a way to treat an intestinal blockage associated with IBD, without having to do surgery. In some cases, when a person is unable to tolerate solid foods by mouth, an NG tube might be used to give nutrients. It can also be used to give medications, which can be really helpful in some medical situations.

An NG tube will be placed by a healthcare professional, such as a physician or a nurse, and it's typically done in the hospital. It might be done while a patient is asleep sedated , but it is often done when the patient is awake.

Local sedation of the nostrils with lidocaine or an anesthetic spray might be used. The NG tube is inserted up through the nostrils and down through the esophagus and into the stomach. The patient is usually told to swallow while the NG tube is being placed.

The procedure is uncomfortable, but it shouldn't be painful that could indicate that the tube is not placed properly. After the tube is in, the healthcare team will check to make sure it's in the right place and everything has gone as it should. One way of doing this is by taking an X-ray, which will show the placement of the tube. Another way is by using the tube to add or remove some stomach contents, which can show that the tube is properly placed in the stomach. Semi-recumbent positioning of the patient reduces the risk of airway aspiration.

Contamination of feeds can be minimised by minimal, meticulous handling and the use of closed rather than open systems. Are you protected against flu? Further reading and references. Nasogastric tube insertion White H, King L ; Enteral feeding pumps: efficacy, safety, and patient acceptability. Join the discussion on the forums. Health Tools Feeling unwell? Assess your symptoms online with our free symptom checker. Start symptom checker.