Ateneo de Zamboanga University

Name: Whimzar B. Habibon Week Rotation: 3

Clinical Area: Zamboanga Doctors Hospital RLE Date: August 15, 16, 17, 2022
Nasogastric Feeding
Procedure
Definition: A tube that is inserted through the nose, down the throat and esophagus, and into the stomach. It can be used
to give drugs, liquids, and liquid food, or used to remove substances from the stomach. Giving food through a nasogastric
tube is a type of enteral nutrition. Also called gastric feeding tube and NG tube.
Purposes: A nasogastric tube (NG tube) is a special tube that carries food, oral nutrition supplements and medicine to the
stomach through the nose.

Objectives: To feed the patient and supplement nutrition needed by the patient using the NG tube
Equipment:
 Nasogastric tube
 Feeding syringe
 Disposable gloves
 Lubricant and gauze pad
 Dressing
 Local anesthetic spray
Procedures/Steps:
o Wash your hands
o Introduce yourself to the patient
o Confirm the patient’s name and date of birth
 o Explain the procedure to the patient
o Gain consent
o Assess if the patient has allergies
o Assess if the patient is experiencing pain before continuing with the clinical procedure
o Position the patient sitting comfortably on a chair or bed
o Note: If a patient has suffered head trauma and a base of skull fracture has not been ruled out, NG tube insertion
should be avoided to the potential risk of entering the cranial vault.
o Position the patient sitting upright with their head in a neutral position
o Don a pair of non-sterile gloves
o Estimate how far the NG tube will need to be inserted: measure from the bridge of the nose to the ear lobe and
then down to 5cm below the xiphisternum.
o Lubricate the tip of the NG tube.
o If available, a local anesthetic should be sprayed towards the back of the patient’s throat.
o Warn the patient you are about to insert the NG tube.
o Insert the NG tube through one of the patient’s nostrils. Gently advance the NG tube through the nasopharynx.
o Once you reach the desired nasogastric tube insertion length, fix the NG tube to the nose with a dressing.
o Attempt to aspirate gastric contents: If aspiration is successful, test the pH: a value of <4 suggests correct
placement. If aspiration is unsuccessful or the pH is >4 the patient will require a chest x-ray (CXR).
o Once the NG tube is deemed safe for use, the radiopaque guidewire can be removed.
o Explain to the patient that the procedure is now complete and reassure them that the NG tube will become more
comfortable over the next few hours.
o Thank the patient for their time.
o Document

Nursing Responsibilities:
A. Before the procedure
To prevent aspiration, you must check the tube placement before each feeding, to be sure it has not moved. The
stomach should be as empty as possible when checking for placement, so plan each placement check before
medicine or feedings.
 B. During the procedure
It may be helpful to have 2 people to do this type of tube feeding. One person can hold and comfort the patient
while the other gives the feeding. Measure the amount of formula and warm it to the desired temperature

C. After the procedure

Clean your patient’s skin around the tube often with warm water, removing any secretions. If the nostril is reddened
or the skin is irritated, remove the tube and replace it in the other nostril, if possible. If you have used a transparent
dressing on your patient’s face, remove it by loosening it with mineral oil and gently working the dressing off. If you
use adhesive remover to loosen the dressing, be sure to wash the skin with water to remove all residue, as this can
be very irritating.

Illustration:
References:
https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/nasogastric-tube
https://www.childrensmn.org/educationmaterials/childrensmn/article/15553/nasogastric-ng-tube-feeding/#:~:text=A
%20nasogastric%20(NG)%20tube%20is,illness%2C%20play%2C%20and%20learn.
https://geekymedics.com/nasogastric-ng-tube-insertion/