Nasogastric Tube Care
Providing effective nasogastric (NG) tube care requires meticulous monitoring of the patient and the equipment. Monitoring the patient involves checking drainage from the NG tube and assessing GI function; monitoring the equipment involves verifying correct tube placement and function.
Equipment
Oral sponge swabs or toothbrush and toothpaste ▪ gloves ▪ petroleum jelly ▪ linen-saver pad, towel, or emesis basin ▪ ½″ or 1″ hypoallergenic tape ▪ water-soluble lubricant ▪ stethoscope ▪ graduated container ▪ Optional: screening test for occult blood.
Preparation of Equipment
Make sure suction equipment works properly. (See Common gastric suction devices.) When using a Salem sump tube with suction, connect the larger, primary lumen (for drainage and suction) to the suction equipment and select the appropriate setting, as ordered (usually low constant suction). If the doctor doesn’t specify the setting, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. A Levin tube usually calls for intermittent low suction.
Implementation
Confirm the patient’s identity using at least two patient identifiers according to your facility’s policy.1
Explain the procedure to the patient and provide privacy.
Provide oral care once per shift, or as needed. Depending on the patient’s condition, use oral sponge swabs to clean his teeth or assist him to brush his teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
Coat the patient’s lips with petroleum jelly to prevent dryness from mouth breathing.
Change the tape securing the tube, as needed or at least daily. Clean the skin, and apply fresh tape. Dab water-soluble lubricant on the nostrils, as needed.
Regularly check the tape that secures the tube because sweat and nasal secretions may loosen the tape.
Check the position of the NG tube periodically, according to facility policy and before instilling any type of solution into the tube.
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