It is a flexible tube made of rubber or plastic , and it has bidirectional potential. 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.
How long can an NG tube be left in?
The use of a nasogastric tube is suitable for enteral feeding for up to six weeks . Polyurethane or silicone feeding tubes are unaffected by gastric acid and can therefore remain in the stomach for a longer period than PVC tubes, which can only be used for up to two weeks.
What are the 2 types of nasogastric tubes?
- Levin catheter, which is a single lumen, small bore NG tube. ...
- Salem Sump catheter, which is a large bore NG tube with double lumen. ...
- Dobhoff tube, which is a small bore NG tube with a weight at the end intended to pull it by gravity during insertion.
What is nasogastric tube?
A nasogastric tube (NG tube) is a special tube that carries food and medicine to the stomach through the nose . It can be used for all feedings or for giving a person extra calories. You’ll learn to take good care of the tubing and the skin around the nostrils so that the skin doesn’t get irritated.
Is nasogastric tube harmful?
Reflux of stomach contents into the oesophagus and risk of aspirationThe intraluminal presence of an NG tube may interfere with the lower oesophageal sphincter and cause reflux of stomach contents, leading to aspiration pneumonitis. The risk is increased when patients are fed when lying down flat.
What is the most common nasogastric tube?
Specific care varies only slightly for the most commonly used NG tubes: the single-lumen Levin tube and the double-salem tube . Usually inserted to decompress the stomach, an NG tube can prevent vomiting after major surgery.
Can you eat with a nasogastric tube?
You may be able to still eat and drink whilst you have NG tube as long as you do not have any swallowing difficulties. How long is the feed attached for? You may be fed during the day and night or just overnight .
What are 3 complications of caring for the person with a nasogastric tube?
common complications include sinusitis, sore throat and epistaxis . more serious complications include luminal perforation, pulmonary injury, aspiration, and intracranial placement.
What are the five signs of intolerance to a tube feeding?
One of the early and more difficult issues that parents face with tube feeding is feed intolerance. Feed intolerance may present as vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, hives or rashes, retching, frequent burping, gas bloating, or abdominal pain .
Why do doctors put a tube in your nose?
Also, passage of a tube through the nose is less irritating and less likely to trigger coughing . Doctors can determine whether the stomach contains blood, or they can analyze the stomach’s secretions for acidity, enzymes, and other characteristics.
What are the indications for inserting a nasogastric tube?
- Evaluation of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding (ie, presence, volume)
- Aspiration of gastric fluid content.
- Identification of the esophagus and stomach on a chest radiograph.
- Administration of radiographic contrast to the GI tract.
How painful is an NG tube?
Nearly all the respondents felt that NG tube insertion was uncomfortable or painful for awake and alert patients (98%). Although 93 percent reported use of some measure to reduce this discomfort, only 28 percent felt what they do is adequate and only 39 percent expressed satisfaction with their current practice.
What can be eaten through NG tube?
A nasogastric (NG) tube is a small tube that goes into the stomach through the nose. Breast milk, formula, or liquid food is given through the tube directly into the stomach, giving your child extra calories.
What happens if an NG tube moves?
Tube displacement or migration. Patients may accidently pull at an NG or nasointestinal tube, causing displacement rather than complete tube removal. As with dislodgment, patient activity and transport can cause tube displacement. So can coughing and gagging.
What happens if you vomit with an NG tube?
Problems that occur when putting in the NG tube include choking, coughing, trouble breathing and turning pale. Problems that occur during feeding can include vomiting and stomach bloating . Sometimes the NG tube may have moved and the mark you made on it is no longer at the nostril.
How do you prevent NG tube complications?
Another way to prevent this complication is the application of soft and flexible lubricated nasogastric tube or replacement of the NGT with gastrostomy or jejunostomy tubes that are surgically inserted through the outside of the abdomen into the stomach or small intestines.
