Some questions about different tubes and starting IV's

[raindrop]

The tube Q's

1) What is the difference between and NG and an OG? Why would a Pt have both? Can you aspirate gastric contents from an OG?

IV Q:

1) After you get flash, do you...

A) Advance a bit further, pop the tournequit and THEN thread

OR

B) Advance a bit further, thread and THEN pop the tournequit?

I'm confused about when I'm suppose to pop the tournequit. :stone

[hrtprncss]

One is inserted nasally the other is inserted orally....they both can be put on LICS. No need for simultaneous ogt and ngt. OGT is usually only tolerable on patients that are unconscious. NGT is the way to go, but if ur just going to strictly feed, DHT is more comfortable for the patient....inserted nasally...just makin sure lol

[NurseCard, ADN]

I've always been told to pop the tourniquet IMMEDIATELY after you get the flash, or you'll risk blowing the vein.

I used to leave the tourniquet on until I had the IV threaded and I blew a lot of veins. So, I thought that taking off the tourniquet, like I was told, would help me not blow so many veins.

And guess what? I STILL blow veins. 'Course I'm one of the world's WORSE IV starters, even after two years of being an RN. I've almost developed a phobia; if I have one or two IV's blow in a shift, it's enough to ruin my whole night. But I try to conquer that fear by just going ahead and DOING it, and knowing that I have people around me who can probably "get it" if I can't!

[neneRN, BSN, RN]

Can't think of any reason at all why a pt would have both an NGT and OGT. Yes, you can aspirate gastric content from either one. As for the IV question, you can remove the tourniquet at either point, it really doesn't make a difference for the 1-3 seconds that it takes to thread the cath. In the ER, we draw all of our labs with the IV start, so the tourniquet's left on the whole time.

[hrtprncss]

Personally and I'm not sure if it's not standard of practice, but i let go of the tourniquet after I thread the IV, and put the hep lock on and then I flush it with the NS....SO that there would be minimal back flow oozing out of the iv when ur taking the needle out and putting the hep lock in.

[NurseCard, ADN]

Well, just relating one thing that I had been taught. But like I said, I don't start IV's worth a ding dong anyway.

[jennblon]

flashback, advance, thread, then release the turniquet. don't be stressed about the turniquet, i was at first, but it won't hurt anything taking it off prematurely. do leave it on if you need to draw labs. and remember to put a ton of pressure above insertion site to avoid making a huge mess and freaking your patient out while connecting the IV tubing.

confidence plays a big role in getting IVs in.

good luck.