NGT residual

sunnygirl272 · Mar 30, 2003

usually return it, so as to not mess up electrolytes...

Nurse Izzy · Mar 30, 2003

We were taught to return it as long as it is not over the "recommended" amount. If it's over, you discard it.

New CCU RN · Mar 30, 2003

Always return@!!!! You don't want to mess up the patients electrolytes....

gwenith, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2003

Return it - unless !) It is over the recommended amount 2) contains soething occult i.e. blood (you are NOT doing the patient a favour returning blood to the stomach) or 3) you notice the patient's relative slowly changing colour to bright green. In all honesty it has been proven to be better to return. Just a question while we are on this topic. How many nurses use a fresh syringe each time they check the gastric residual? I have often witnessed the practice of reusing the same syringe (admittedly it it rinsed) but I am sure that he practice of reusing syringes for checking gastric residuals sontributes to the development of diarrhoea in enterally fed patients

Jaaaman · Mar 30, 2003

I was always taught to return it.

emily_mom · Mar 30, 2003

Return it. Same reason as above posters. :)

baseline · Mar 30, 2003

Return what you borrow.......... :-)

Nurse Izzy · Mar 30, 2003

We use the same syringe unless it is visibly contaminated (in other words - icky!)

NsgTiger · Mar 30, 2003

Thanks guys! I am glad to know I'm not going crazy. The nurse that told me to discard the residual went in to this long explanation of why. In the end I was just left super confused!

Oh yeah, and about the syringe...I have been taught to use a new syringe every 24 hours. Of course with washing it after each use.

nursedawn67, LPN · Mar 30, 2003

Originally posted by sunnygirl272
usually return it, so as to not mess up electrolytes...

This is what I was taught also.

rreed · Mar 30, 2003

same here as the above, return it unless a large amount.

change syringe q 24 hrs with washing in between.

Rachel