Essentials of Nasogastric Feeding Tube

<p class="ql-align-justify"><a href="https://www.leadgemcatheter.com/nasogastric-feeding-tube" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nasogastric feeding tube</a> is used to help patients who cannot swallow to deliver necessary water and food under special circumstances. Today, we will tell you some key points about the care of nasogastric feeding tube.</p><p class="ql-align-justify"><br></p><p class="ql-align-justify">1. Properly fix it to prevent discounts and avoid falling out.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">A. To fix the gastric tube, apply white rubber cloth to the tip of the nose. The cloth should be replaced every day.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">B. The insertion length of the gastric tube should be appropriate, generally about 45-55cm for adults. If prolapse of the stomach tube is suspected, the doctor should be notified in time. At this time, the nasal feeding should be temporarily stopped, and the nasal feeding can be carried out after the gastric tube is confirmed in the stomach.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">The method of judging that the gastric tube is in the stomach: Withdrawal with a syringe can withdraw the gastric contents from the gastric tube. Use a syringe to pump air into the stomach tube, and use a stethoscope to hear the sound of air and water in the stomach. Insert the gastric tube into the water without air bubbles overflowing.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">C. Keep the gastric tube smooth and prevent discounts. When moving or turning the patient, prevent the gastric tube from coming out or being discounted.</p><p class="ql-align-justify"><br></p><p class="ql-align-justify">2. Ensure that the gastric tube is unobstructed, flush and aspirate gastric juice regularly.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">A. Rinse regularly, once every 4 hours. When flushing, you should choose a 5 or 10ml syringe to flush the gastric tube with 3-5ml of normal saline according to the type of gastric tube, surgical site, operation method, etc. Be careful not to use excessive force when flushing. If there is resistance, do not punch hard, so as not to damage the stomach wall or anastomotic stoma, causing bleeding or anastomotic leakage. If there is resistance during flushing, the gastric juice should be drawn back first. If the gastric juice is drawn out, the gastric tube is unobstructed and can be flushed again. If the gastric juice cannot be drawn out and the flushing resistance is large, the doctor should be notified in time for timely treatment.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">B. According to the secretion of gastric juice, aspirate gastric juice regularly, usually every 4 hours. When pumping gastric juice, the suction should not be too strong, so as not to damage the stomach wall and cause mucosal damage and bleeding.</p><p class="ql-align-justify"><br></p><p class="ql-align-justify">3. Closely observe the color, nature and amount of gastric juice and make a record.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">A. Observe the color and nature of gastric juice: the color of gastric juice is generally dark green (mixed with bile). If the color is bright red, it indicates bleeding in the stomach. If the color is brown, it indicates that there is old blood in the stomach. If the color or nature of the gastric juice changes, the doctor should be notified in time and treated accordingly.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">B. Accurately record the amount of gastric juice: If there is too much gastric juice, you should notify the doctor in time and deal with it in time. Avoid causing water and electrolyte disorders.</p><p class="ql-align-justify"><br></p><p class="ql-align-justify">4. Stomach tube care</p><p class="ql-align-justify">A. Clean the nasal cavity with a cotton swab soaked in water daily.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">B. When changing the tape, wipe the skin of the face before sticking it, and be careful not to stick to the same skin part.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">C. The exposed part of the nasogastric feeding tube must be properly placed to avoid slippage.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">D. Pay attention to the scale of the nasogastric feeding tube every day. If there is any prolapse, notify the medical staff for treatment.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">E. Clean the oral cavity daily, and clean the oral cavity with cotton swabs; clean with a toothbrush if you are aware of cooperation. Encourage patients to brush their teeth and gargle, and develop good hygiene habits. Patients who cannot take care of themselves or those who are unconscious are given oral care.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">F. If you are unconscious or agitated or uncooperative, you need to prevent the nasogastric feeding tube from being pulled out, and if necessary, the patient's hands can be properly restrained and protected.</p><p class="ql-align-justify"><br></p><p class="ql-align-justify">5. Nasal feeding care:</p><p class="ql-align-justify">A. Before nasal feeding, the respiratory tract should be kept unobstructed. After confirming that the gastric tube is in the stomach and there are no symptoms of abdominal distension or gastric retention, nasal feeding should be performed.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">B. The amount of nasal feeding should be reasonably allocated according to the patient's digestion and absorption and stool excretion. It can be checked daily or every other day to help excrete the stool in time. Too much nasal feeding can cause abdominal distension, and too little can cause malnutrition and weight loss. Observe the interval between intake and discharge. [2] After nasal feeding, rinse the nasal feeding tube with warm water and place it well. Continuous nasal feeding should be evenly infused.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">C. The temperature of nasal feeding should be suitable, about 35℃. The temperature of the nasal feeding solution should be the same as room temperature during continuous infusion. Overheating can easily scald the mucosa of the stomach wall, and overheating can easily cause indigestion and diarrhea. Clean up mouth and nasal secretions in time.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">D. The amount of nasal feeding is easy to be small at the beginning, and gradually increase the amount after the patient adapts and accurately record the amount of nasal feeding.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">[Note]:</p><p class="ql-align-justify">1) Flush the gastric tube after esophagus surgery: Use a 10ml syringe to draw 3-5ml of saline and rinse slowly. If there is resistance, draw back first, and draw out the gastric juice to indicate that the gastric tube is unobstructed. If the flushing resistance is large or the stomach tube prolapses, the doctor should be notified in time.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">2) Flush the gastric tube after subtotal gastrectomy or total gastrectomy: Use a 5ml syringe to draw 1-2ml of normal saline. If there is gastric juice drawn out, then slowly flush the gastric tube. After flushing, the flushed saline should be drawn out. If the flushing resistance is large or the stomach tube prolapses, the doctor should be notified in time.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">3) Flushing gastric tube after colon and rectum surgery:</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Use a 5-10ml syringe to draw about 5ml of normal saline and rinse slowly. If the flushing is not smooth, the position of the gastric tube can be adjusted appropriately.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">4) Gastric tube irrigation in patients with pyloric obstruction:</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Patients who need gastric lavage should regularly give 3% saline 200ml each time into the gastric tube according to the doctor's instructions. Clamp the gastric tube for half an hour and then use negative pressure to suck out the gastric contents. If you encounter resistance when washing, you can use a bit more vigorously, remember not to wash violently. If the stomach tube is blocked, the doctor should be notified to replace the stomach tube in time.</p><p><br></p>