nasogastric tubes

[brownskin1]

Hello,

Can someone please help me.

I understand that a nasogastric tube can be use for both feeding and suctioning a pt. However, can you use the same nasogastric tube to do both without changing the tube?

[APBT mom, LPN, RN]

The same tubing could be used for both in concept but you wouldn't use it that way. The tube is either going to be used to put something in or take something out. Curious as to why you would ask this question?

[suanna]

If I understand the question- sure. A patient is NPO with a salem sump to suction. Later nutrition is started-Crucial at 50cc/hr. There is no reason to change tubes. At my hospital we do frequently change tubes to a cor pac from a salem sump- the smaller tube is more comfortable and has a lower incidence of sinus infection but ther is no absolute need to change the tube. If the patient dosn't tollerate the feeding- back to suction to decompress the stomach. As long as you are sure where the Hose in the Nose Goes- all tubes for feeding must be verified by X ray befor nutrition is started.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

hi, brownskin1, and welcome to allnurses! :welcome:

in theory, the answer to your question is, yes.

however, i have been a med/surg nurse for many years and cannot recall any time where that has been done. the reason is probably because when an ng tube is placed for suction the patient needs his stomach kept empty of its contents for a reason. usually, to prevent vomiting, but also because there is a gi problem where peristalsis is slowed or stopped and resulting in the normal gastric secretions to collect in the stomach. you are not going to be switching to feeding this person through the ng tube any time soon. however, theoretically, if peristalsis returns and the patient is unable to swallow and take fluids orally for some reason, then ng feedings might be started. but, the docs would primarily want to encourage the patient to feed orally first.

[suanna]

hi, brownskin1, and welcome to allnurses! :welcome:

in theory, the answer to your question is, yes.

however, i have been a med/surg nurse for many years and cannot recall any time where that has been done. the reason is probably because when an ng tube is placed for suction the patient needs his stomach kept empty of its contents for a reason. usually, to prevent vomiting, but also because there is a gi problem where peristalsis is slowed or stopped and resulting in the normal gastric secretions to collect in the stomach. you are not going to be switching to feeding this person through the ng tube any time soon. however, theoretically, if peristalsis returns and the patient is unable to swallow and take fluids orally for some reason, then ng feedings might be started. but, the docs would primarily want to encourage the patient to feed orally first.

daytonite- we do it all the time. if a patient has had a salem sump (or other ng) while intubated we leave it in for a while post extubation to keep the stomach decompressed. if it turns out the patient has some dysphagia-cva, enceplahopathy, ett trauma... we can start enteral feedings so they don't become nutritionaly compromised in addition to thier other problems. often if the tf is going to be for more than a few days we will change the salem sump out for a cor pac, but for the first day or so its useful to use the s.s.- if they don't tollerate feeding you can easily return it to suction.