NGT placement

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I would appreciate advice on NGT placement. On a previous shift I placed and NGT tube without difficulty, varified by asculation at the epigastrum and had clear gastric return. The ER doc then requested lavage for blood, which I did, lavaging 250 ml NS and suctioning same amount, no blood. Later the Pt went to CT and it was revealed that the NGT was in the proximal esophagus. How could I have better varified placement?

Specializes in Emergency.
PLEASE HELP!

I had the worst experience inserting an NG tube last year. It was only my second attempt at inserting a NGT. After inserting into the right nare i kept advancing the tube. After being unable to auscultate to ensure proper placement, we ordered an xray. Before t he cxr, we decided to change the babies diaper, upon doing so we realized the tip of the NG tube was protruding throught the orifice! What did I do wrong! :banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

you just advanced it too far.....straight through the stomach and jejunum.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
What did I do wrong! :banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

Always measure the tube against the patient first. You should know how far to advance it before doing so.

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PLEASE HELP!

I had the worst experience inserting an NG tube last year. It was only my second attempt at inserting a NGT. After inserting into the right nare i kept advancing the tube. After being unable to auscultate to ensure proper placement, we ordered an xray. Before t he cxr, we decided to change the babies diaper, upon doing so we realized the tip of the NG tube was protruding throught the orifice! What did I do wrong! :banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

Are you guys sure that this is not an April's Fools joke?

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Specializes in ICU, PACU, Cath Lab.

That would be a looooong NGT to make it all the way out the other end...

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Oh good, so I'm not crazy ... trying to wrap my head around the logistics of that one was difficult. LOL

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Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

I just read an email from AACN about NGT placement confirmation that the gold standard is to confirm with a chest xray and pH test. I can't find the email now, but that is also what I recently heard at the NJ ENA conference as well. Hope that helps!

Sara

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Are you guys sure that this is not an April's Fools joke?

yeah, it was indeed.

i can just visualize the ngt advancing through that very loopy sm intestines, then colon then through the anal sphincter...:rolleyes:

heh.

brought a smile though.

leslie

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