nasogastric tubes

neneRN, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2003

Let's see....clear, watery saliva looking junk, yellowish, brownish, greenish looking crap, pinkish secretions with food particles, dark green brown bile type goo...and on and on in any combination of this nastiness. Frank red blood or coffee grounds are NEVER a good sign!

laurako · Jan 21, 2003

I agree with nene. Yellow, brown, green, some mildly black. sometimes pink, is all to be expected. However, blood, no.

Nurse Izzy · Feb 3, 2003

I agree, too - usually clearish, sometimes tinged with yellows, greens.

RNonsense · Feb 3, 2003

only expect bloody if they have had a V&P or something...

OzNurse69 · Feb 3, 2003

Hey, I've had red once -- did every test under the sun -- -ve for blood -- finally pt confessed that she was so desperate for something different to taste (sick of toothpaste, on TPN, had NG in for a week or so) that she got hubby to bring her in some RED JELLY & ate about 200 ml!! Certainly cleared up that little mystery....

ayemmeff · Feb 3, 2003

It's the sour pond water complete with bits of pond weed,that gets me every time!

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2003

Dark pond water w/scum on top for GI infection or high obstruction.

Fecal looking/smelling liquid for lower obstruction.

Blood/coffee grounds are never good signs.

Fairly clear pale green/clear/yellow - normal bile and secretions as a general rule.

Lysa · May 18, 2004

It's all gross! Funny story...A student was giving me a report at the end of her shift and she was describing the ng output..she said it was pinkish..cause for concern...indeed until I found out that the NPO pt snuck a cherry popsicle!!