Gastrointestinal Therapeutic Procedures:

Nasogastric Tube: Preparation

o DON clean gloves

o VERIFY patient using two identifiers

o LISTEN to bowel and breath sounds

o Rip 3 pieces of tape, plus one piece torn halfway down the center

o SIT THE PATIENT UP in High Fowler’s position

o If hooking up to suction, verify that the suction equipment works

o Have the tissues and emesis basin readily available for the patient

o ALERT the patient that the procedure will be uncomfortable and may cause gagging and

o nasal discomfort.

o OBTAIN verbal consent

o LOOK in the back of the patient’s throat and inside the nares with a penlight

o ASK the patient to swallow

NG tube placement- Clean technique

Prior to ask AND look the patient if they have nasal polyps, deviated sputum, nose bleeds, fractured nose/oral,

anticoagulant therapy.

o Gather supplies, making sure gastric decompression and lavage, are ready for suctioning or irrigation.

o Measure the distance of tube from the tip of the nose to earlobe to xiphoid process.

o Patient is in high fowlers position. Raise the bed to hip level.

o With a penlight look into the patients nose and mouth. Assess gag reflex against the uvula.

o Listen to lung and abdominal sounds

o Dip the tube 3 to 4 inches into a glass of room temperature water a water-soluble lubricant (no petroleum

jelly) the tip of the tube before inserting.

o Patient first tilts their head back, insert NG tube into you reach the posterior nasopharynx, aiming the tube

towards the ear.

o Relax and flex head/chin toward chest and start taking small sips of water

o Encourage the patient to swallow sips of water and rotate the tube and rotate the tube while inserting.

o Avoid inserting while the patient is inhaling.