Verification of NG tube placement

Litmus paper and cxr upon anchoring, then any time in doubt during continuous feed, call for cxr. During cont feed, check residual q4h. If not using for continuous feed, or using for meds only w/continuous suction, then litmus before each use.

We verify placement by Xray.

CXR ..listening for placement is part of our shift assessment only.

We check NGT placement by CXR but I personally do not feel that it is necessary. If I aspirate gastric contents and hear the pop over the gastric area, that is confirmation for me. The thing I worry about is the nurse who uses the tube each time and does not re check to reconfirm tube placement. Usually, when it is in the lung, you know it. You can hear the air coming out of the tube.

On the other hand, the feeding tubes must be checked by CXR because you can't properly check them using the same method you use to check a regular NGT.

After the insertion of the NG tube the pt will go for x-ray to confirm the placement, after the placement is confirmed the nurse will put a black mark on the tube closed to the nostirl, and measure the length of the tube from the exit site to let say the blue rubber part( the port). and listen for the bubbling sounds over the stomach. We have to do the 3 checks qshift.