FEEDING A PATIENT PER NASO-GASTRIC TUBE

  1. Explain procedure to patient and provide privacy.
  2. Send prepared feed in a tray to patient’s bedside.
  3. Assist patient into a fowler’s position in bed or a sitting up position in a chair or a slightly elevated right side lying position.
  4. Make patient comfortable and protect his/her clothes.
  5. Check for placement of tube in the stomach by aspirating abdominal contents for a typical gastric fluid appearance (grassy-green, colourless with mucus shreds) OR inject 5 – 20cc of air through the tube and auscultate epigastric region with a stethoscope and listen for the whooshing sound simultaneously indicating proper positioning.
  6. Wash and dry hands.
  7. Check temperature of feed by dropping a little amount on the back of hand.
  8. Pinch tube and remove spigot of naso-gastric tube, push 10 – 15mls of water through the tube just before feed is introduced.
  9. Connect syringe with feed to tube, release the pinch and allow the feed to run by gravity.
  10. Ensure tube is never allowed to empty completely to prevent air from entering patient’s stomach.
  11. Continue feeding and observe patient for signs of discomfort till feeding is completed.
  12. Flush the tube with 10 – 15mls of water at the end of feeding.
  13. Pinch tube and remove syringe and replace spigot.
  14. Assist patient to remain in the sitting up position for at least 30 minutes after feed.
  15. Remove protective clothing, and make patient comfortable, discard tray, wash and dry hands.
  16. Document procedure on intake and output chart and in nurses’ notes.

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