When should you stop advancing the nasogastric tube? (5 circumstances)
In patients with malnutrition or people unable to consume enough nutrition a tube is used for parenteral feeding. It is called a nasogastric tube. Under aseptic conditions tube is measured from firstly from nose to ear lobes and then measured to the xiphisternum. This marks the length of tube needed to be inserted according to every patient. After application of a local anesthetic in the nasal opening and on the tip of the NG tube, it is advanced into the patent nasal opening. The patient is provided with a glass of water and advised to sip it slowly. This opens the esophagus facilitating tube passage. The insertion should be stopped when: 1) it reaches the measured length 2) if it gets kinked in the oral cavity 3) patient develops signs of respiratory distress 4) nasal hemorrhage 5) resistance is seen.
