Nasogastric Tube Research Paper

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Nasogastric Tube Overview: Many patients are unable to ingest and swallow food and therefore may need nutritional support. In the short term, these patients need feeding through a nasogastric or nasojejunal tube. NG tube is used as well to instill medications, relief certain conditions, and diagnostic procedures. It is increasingly used to ensure the patient meets his nutritional needs. However, NG tubes have been associated with risks to the patient safety. I) Introduction: The inability of a patient to ingest or swallow food and his/her ability to digest and absorb nutrients qualifies him/her for a feeding tube (Potter &Perry, 2009, p. 1112). Feeding tubes are either surgically inserted (gastrostomy, jejunostomy) or endoscopically (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy or jejunostomy) for extended period of feeding and inserted through the nose (nasogastric or…show more content…
Nurses should always chose the wider nostril and lubricate the tube to decrease friction and prevent the insertion of the tube into the skull (Nursingtimes, 2012, para 2). 3- Pulmonary aspiration: inappropriate tube placement or regurgitation may cause reflux of stomach contents leading to aspiration and pneumonitis and the risk is increased when the patient lies down (Nursingtimes, 2012, para 2). Prevent by keeping the head of the bed at 30-45 degrees or have patient sitting up in bed or chair (Nursingtimes, 2012, para 2). 4- Tube occlusions: Thick feedings and medications occlude the tube. To avoid that irrigate the tube with water before and after feeding (Potter & Perry, 2009, p. 1124). 5- Delayed gastric emptying: a nurse should check for residual amount prior to feeding and feedings should always be slow. If residual is over 100-150 ml, slow the feeding. If the residual is over 200 ml, stop feeding and notify physician immediately (Potter & Perry, 2009, p.

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