Skills Checklist

PNL210/NUR310 (V. A1 2021)

Skills Checklist: Inserting a Large

Bore Naso-enteric (referred to as nasogastric tube) or Orogastric Tube for Gastric Suctioning

The student is responsible to understand the rationale for each step

Planning: Implementation:

Review order for type of tube, and reason; gather supplies,
consider contraindications or potential concerns
Hand hygiene, introduce self, confirm ID
Explain procedure, reason, how patient can participate, and
determine signal if needing to pause; provide privacy
Wrap tube around your hand, gently curving the end of tube
Lubricate end of tube
Insert tube through nostril to back of throat, aiming back, down
and towards the ear; rotate the tube if needed; patient may have
cough or gag); sips of water may help if permitted

Assess nares, selecting the most patent
Assess gag reflex (if absent, special care required)
Hand hygiene
Position patient at 90 degrees; raise bed
Place blue pad on chest, and a tissue for patient
Determine length of tube and mark tube
Have patient tilt head forward, and continue to insert slow and
steady until marked point reached
Apply tape to hold in place while verifying location
Verify pH (if used for feeds, CXR required)
Assess drainage and volume
Finish:

Have tape prepared or fixation device Anchor tube to nose, ensure location mark is visible
Don clean gloves Measure length of external tube
Attach to gown; assess comfort of patient
Clean up
Connect to suction if ordered
Document procedure

Skills Checklist: Removing a Nasogastric Tube

Skills Checklist
PNL210/NUR310 (V. A1 2021)

Prep: Skill:

Review order for removal; gather supplies
Hand hygiene, introduce self, confirm ID
Explain process, provide privacy
Place blue pad on chest
Remove tape from nose, unclip tube from gown
Ask patient to take a deep breath and hold
Kink the tube near the nares and gently pull out in a swift
steady motion, wrapping tube in your hand
Finish:

Disconnect tube from suction or feed if needed Provide tissue or clean the nares, oral hygiene as needed
Hand hygiene Ensure patient is comfortable
Hand hygiene
Document

Skills Checklist: Providing Suction

Prep: Skill:
Review order for type and amount of suction Set up suction device
Hand hygiene, introduce self, confirm ID Monitor patient routinely assessing for distension, nausea,
bowel sounds, electrolyte levels
Explain the procedure and provide privacy Monitor device routinely assessing for tubing kinks, blockages,
flow, settings
Monitor drainage routinely assessing for amount, colour,
consistency
Finish:

Measure output at least Q8h depending on situation and

document