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Care of the Nasogastric Tube


About this topic


A nasogastric tube is often called an NG tube. It is a plastic tube that goes through the nose into the belly. There are different kinds of tubes for feeding. An NG tube is for short-term use only. ‚  
An NG tube may be put in to: ‚  
  • Give nutrients or drugs to patients who cannot swallow
  • Remove liquids or air from the belly
  • Rest the bowel after surgery
  • Control bleeding in the stomach or in the tube from the mouth to the stomach (esophagus)

General


If an NG tube is used for feeding, your doctor will talk with you about the exact amount and kind of liquid to use for feedings. It is important to give the feeding as directed. Giving too much or too little can be harmful. So can using too much or too little water to flush the NG tube. ‚  
Keep your NG tube and supplies clean and working: ‚  
  • Wash your hands before and after touching the tube.
  • Flush the tube with warm water 4 times a day to keep it from clogging.
  • Clean your nose around the tube with care. Clean the outside of the tube with soap and water.
  • Do not let the tube touch anything when you remove it from the syringe or tubing.
  • Ask if it is OK to reuse your feeding supplies. If so, wash them in warm soapy water and rinse well after each feeding.
  • Always keep an extra NG tube on hand. Know what size and kind the NG tube is.

Make sure your tube is secure: ‚  
  • Make sure the tube is taped securely to your nose or cheek.
  • Do not push or pull the tube. Keep it in place.
  • Check the side of the nose with the tube in it for any signs of infection. This includes redness, sores, drainage that is green or yellow, or dryness.

Check the tube for the correct placement: ‚  
  • Place a mark on the part of the tube right where it comes out of the nose to make sure it is not pulled out or pushed in.
  • Check the tube before each feeding. Talk to your doctor about how to make sure your feeding tube is in the right place before you give anything into the tube. Your doctor may suggest you:
    • Check to make sure the tube is taped at the same spot as it was before. Make sure the mark is in the same place.
    • Check the pH of the stomach contents. Use a syringe to draw back a small amount of fluid from the tube. Place a drop of the fluid on a special pH test strip to check the pH of the stomach contents. If the pH is between 0 and 5.5 it is safe to give a feeding or drug. If the pH is higher than 5.5, call your doctor before you give anything into the feeding tube.

Give feedings: ‚  
  • Attach a large syringe and pull back on the plunger. You may see some greenish fluid that helps break down your food. This is normal. You may also see some of your last feeding. This is called the residual. Your residual may be less than 100 cc (3 ounces) or even up to 300 cc (10 ounces). Ask your doctor how much residual is OK for you to have and to still give your feeding.
  • First, give back the residual. Then give your feeding.
    • Feeding pump ¢ ˆ ’ Attach the feeding pump to your NG tube and turn the feeding on to the right rate.
    • Bolus feeding ¢ ˆ ’ Use a syringe and pour the feeding into the syringe. The feeding will flow in by gravity. Your feeding should take about 45 minutes to finish.
  • After your feeding is finished, flush your NG tube with 30 cc (1 ounce) of water.
  • Sit up during feedings to keep food from getting into the lungs. Stay sitting for an hour after feeding.
  • Close the tube cap after each feeding.

Know what to do if there are problems: ‚  
Ask your doctor what to do if the tube becomes clogged. ‚  
  • Do not use a wire to remove the clog in the tube. Your doctor may give you a special drug or a plastic brush to unclog the tube.
  • Ask your doctor what to do if your NG tube comes out.

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Redness, swelling, bleeding, and pain in your nose
  • NG tube is clogged or comes out
  • Trouble breathing
  • Upset stomach and throwing up
  • Weight loss of more than 3 to 5 pounds
  • Swelling of belly
  • Shortness of breath or coughing
  • Skin color changes to blue or grey

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you how to check my tube for correct placement and how to give a feeding.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have too much residual before a feeding.
  • I can tell you what I will do if my NG tube becomes clogged or comes out.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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