NG Tube Question

2bmalenurse007 · Mar 7, 2009

Anybody, need help.

thanks.

LilyBlue · Mar 7, 2009

If they are conscious and can swallow and the NGT is clamped, yes.

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2009

If they are conscious and can swallow and the NGT is clamped, yes.

This may be technically true, but why would you keep an NG in place if they are conscious and taking PO without difficulty?

2bmalenurse007 · Mar 7, 2009

Thanks LilyBlue

LilyBlue · Mar 7, 2009

This may be technically true, but why would you keep an NG in place if they are conscious and taking PO without difficulty?

In most cases you wouldn't. However, if you are caring for someone who has had a long bout with an ileus, some doctors leave the NGT in place for 24 hours or so to ensure that the patient is actually moving things through their bowels. Mostly in order to avoid having to place another NGT if they are not. It is to save the patient a possibly uncomfortable procedure (of another NGT insertion).

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2009

In most cases you wouldn't. However, if you are caring for someone who has had a long bout with an ileus, some doctors leave the NGT in place for 24 hours or so to ensure that the patient is actually moving things through their bowels. Mostly in order to avoid having to place another NGT if they are not. It is to save the patient a possibly uncomfortable procedure (of another NGT insertion).

This is understandable, but I don't see why having the patient experience discomfort swallowing pills with an NG in is preferable to just crushing the med and administering it via NG in the first place.

LilyBlue · Mar 7, 2009

Some meds cannot be safely crushed.

Tait, MSN, RN · Mar 7, 2009

I had a patient who took a capsule with his NG in and it got stuck between the tube and his throat (or so he said). He was so bothered by it that I just went ahead and put it in his NG the next night.

Tait

254babyRN · Mar 7, 2009

I would put meds down the tube if they can be crushed. Usually they have the NG tube for a good reason.

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2009

Some meds cannot be safely crushed.

I am aware of this, but if they've been NPO until recently they shouldn't be on any such medications to begin with.

RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2009

Critically think.......if your NG tube was hooked up to suction and you gave meds.....what do you think would happen? Exactly, the meds get sucked right back out. It depends on whether or not the pt is strict NPO, if he is just NPO except for meds, then you would shut off the NG tube until the meds absorb. Depends on doctors orders. Hope this helps. :)