Pt. regurgitated/vomited NG tube

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My patient was NPO & had been coughing up a moderate amount of sputum. Had current NG tube in place for approximately two days. About 1700 I retaped it to his nose, 1845 before shift change NG tube was still secure, bilateral soft wrist restraints on, pt. suctioned. After report I was filling out my timecard and the night shift nurse came and asked me to look at the patient because she couldn't figure out what was wrong with their NG tube. The tip from their stomach was hanging out of their mouth while it was still secured to their nose. I don't remember seeing this before. All I could think of was the patient was gagging or coughing so hard they "vomited" the NG tube. Has anyone had more experience with this?

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

Yup. I work in pediatrics, but the little ones do this. Has to be pulled out and replaced.

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Specializes in CVICU CCRN.

I've had adults do it - not as often as kids though. Just happens sometimes. Nothing to do but drop a new one.

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I've always worked with adults. I heard it was possible & thought it could be physically, but never experienced it & the doctor wasn't quite sure either. We just pulled it and dropped another one.

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I have definitely had patients tongue at their Ng tube until the tip is in their mouth. It's a pretty impressive feat

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