3. Nasogastric tube: A tube that is passed
through the nose and down through
the nasopharynx and esophagus into
the stomach. It can be used to remove
the contents of the stomach, including
air, to decompress the stomach, or to
remove small solid objects and fluid,
such as poison from the stomach.
4. NGT is most commonly used for patients
who:
Have neck or facial injuries
Have had neck of facial surgery
Need a mechanical ventilator to
breathe
Have an intestinal obstruction or
blockage
5. Commonly used NGT
Short tubes: passed through the nose into the stomach: range in
size from 14 to 18 Fr, single lumen made of plastic or rubber
silicone with holes near the tip
6. Indications
To decompress the stomach and remove gas and fluid
To lavage the stomach and remove ingested toxins
To diagnose disorders of GI motility and other disorders
To administer medications and feedings
To aspirate gastric contents for analysis
8. Procedure
Explain the procedure
Secure consent
Position the client in a sitting or high fowlers position
Examine NGT for flaws
Determine the length of tube to be inserted
Prepare the tube for insertion
9. Cont…
Wash hands
Put on clean gloves
Lubricate the tube
Gently insert tube through nostril to back of the throat
(posterior nasopharynx)
Have client flex head toward chest after tube passed through
nasopharynx
Emphasize the need to mouth breathe and swallow during the
procedure
10. Swallowing facilitates the passage of the tube
through oropharynx
Advance tube each time client swallows until desired
length has been reached
Do not force the tube
Check placement
X-Ray
Aspiration
Auscutation
11. Evaluation
Observe client to determine response to the procedure
Persistent gagging
Prolonged intubation and stimulation of the gag reflex can result in
vomiting and aspiration
Coughing may indicate presence of tube in the airway
Note location of external site marking on the tube
Document size of tube and length of tube from the nostril to the end of tube
