Measurements: NGT vs. OG tubes

[mlbdestined]

Hi all,

I know how to measure for the NGT placement, but my question is for the intubated patients that are getting Orogastric tubes placed. How does the measurement differ? Do you cut out the nose-to-earlobe part of the measurement, or do you still measure it like you were going through the nose? Thanks guys.

[sunnycalifRN]

I just measure from mouth to earlobe to xiphoid.

[mlbdestined]

yeah I know that it's usually tip of nose to earlobe to xiphoid process, but when you aren't going through the nose there has to be some part of that cut out I would think because you're closer to the stomach. You cut all that space out between the nose and mouth. Just wondering

[DebblesRN, ASN, BSN, RN]

Wow-learn something new everyday. When I worked with adults, I never did orogastric tubes. They were always NG--even intubated patients.

I work with babies now, and we do orogastric and nasogastric, and the measurement is the same: nose to earlobe to xyphoid process, wether we do orogastric or nasogastric.

I measured mouth to earlobe, and nose to earlobe on myself, and it was the same length.

[ObtundedRN, BSN, RN]

i think you missed the answer, but sunnycalifrn said it. if its og, then its mouth to ear to xiphoid. ng is nose to ear to xiphoid. i don't think there is much of a difference in length though.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

There really isn't a huge difference in distance. The nasopharynx is only a matter of 3-5 cm in length in the average adult and much less in small women and children. In my experience the usual method of measuring often left the tip of the tube high on x-ray, so I always add a cm or so to my measurement anyway. I'd rather have the tip of the tube well into the stomach than sitting at the cardiac sphincter.