Question

The physician inserted an NG tube into a patient who has become comatose. The patient’s daughter asks the nurse, “Why does my mother have that tube, how will she eat, and how will she take her medications? How do you know the tube is in the right place?” How can the nurse help the daughter understand the use and management of the NG tube?

Answer 1

Why does my mother have that tube

The purpose of the Ng tube has to be explained to the daughter

As her mother is comatose (unconscious) she cannot take food on her own, however, we should provide adequeate nourishment to the patient with the help of a nasogastric tube which will bypass the mount and esophagus and delivers liquid nutrition directly to stomach, This tube will not hurt her mother but in fact, the liquid nutrition given will be accurately monitored which will help to avoid malnutrition.

how will she eat

Mother cannot take food by herself as she is comatose state thus we have to bypass the process of chewing swallowing and have to deliver nutritious liquid diet directly to the stomach

how will she take her medications

All the oral medication will also be administered through NG tube, Medications in the form of tablets will be diluted adequately and will be administered

How do you know the tube is in the right place?

With an irrigation syringe aspirate the gastric contents furthermore, a chest x-ray will be taken to ensure the correct placement of the Ng tube, the position will be ensured at the insertion of Ng tube and it will be done before administering the initial feed.

How can the nurse help the daughter understand the use and management of the NG tube?

The nurse must educate regarding the measures taken while administering feed via NG tube

1.Wash hand thoroughly with soap and water  before giving the feed

2.Position the patient, The head of bed should always be raised 30 degrees or higher.

3.Measure the correct amount of liquid diet

4.Consider and maintain the comfort of the patient as Ng tube irritates the nasal mucosa, ensure that the tube is securely anchored to the patient’s nose to prevent excess tube movement

5. Attache the syringe to the feeding tube

6. The Ng tube should be clamped before pouring the feed into the syringe, once the syringe is filled it can be unclamped

7. Allow adequate time gaps between the feed

8. water should be administered as prescribed by the physcian

9. Flush the tube with the prescribed amount of warm water to keep the tube clean and wipe off any spilled liquid.

10. After the feeding clamp the tube.