N/G tube insertion

[tkyeung]

If a patient is currently suffering from aspiration of gastric contents, eg vomitus, in the respiratory tract, can a N/G tube be inserted for feeding purpose? I know that inserting a nasogastric tube can pose a risk of aspiration.

[Wile E Coyote, ASN, RN]

I'll answer by asking my own question:

What about the presence of the NG increases the risk of aspiration?

[tkyeung]

Since the NG tube poses the risk of aspiration, that means if a patient has aspiration now, NG tube should not be inserted?

[Cuddleswithpuddles]

Since the NG tube poses the risk of aspiration, that means if a patient has aspiration now, NG tube should not be inserted?

Think of what factors increase the risk of aspiration, or lead up to aspiration.

Now, think how would a NG tube help such cases.

I encourage you to think out loud because that, for me, is a very effective way of seeing the holes in my understanding.

[Cuddleswithpuddles]

I'll answer by asking my own question:

What about the presence of the NG increases the risk of aspiration?

Great question too!

To the OP, does the NG itself increase the risk of aspiration, or does needing one mean the patient is already at increased risk of aspiration?

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Since the NG tube poses the risk of aspiration, that means if a patient has aspiration now, NG tube should not be inserted?

Who says the NG tube increases or causes risk for aspiration? You are wrong on that part, so the rest of your statement makes no sense.

[tkyeung]

NG tube does pose risk of aspiration, nursing textbooks have told

[Cuddleswithpuddles]

NG tube does pose risk of aspiration, nursing textbooks have told

Ask yourself, why is that statement accurate? Or not? Is it the NG tube itself, or needing a NG tube?

This is a good exercise in critical thinking.

[tkyeung]

I only want to know if a patient has aspiration, can a NG tube be inserted? is it a contraindication to ng insertion?

[SwansonRN]

No it's not a contraindication.

[tkyeung]

If a client aspirates gastric content into the respiratory tract and a RN wants to insert NG tube, then doctor should suction out all the aspirated material out first before a registered nurse perform the ng tube insertion. Is it appropriate?

[Wile E Coyote, ASN, RN]

If a client aspirates gastric content into the respiratory tract and a RN wants to insert NG tube then doctor should suction out all the aspirated material out first before a registered nurse perform the ng tube insertion. Is it appropriate?[/quote']

Why don't you give us your opinion regarding the feasibility of suctioning out all said aspirated material...