Suctioning via dobhoff??

Tonight at the end of my shift I received the order "place DHT to low to intermediate suction stat" and "hold tube feeds until clear".

I am still in my first year as an RN, and have never seen an order like this. The other nurses on the unit had not seen that one either and didn't think it was a wise idea.

Anyway, my shift ended before I could clarify this.

Has anyone seen this? Wouldn't the tube colapse on itself?

Let me guess. Do you work at a teaching facility?

Yep! And as a new nurse it is hard to filter through the sometimes "crazy" orders.

Hey, am I good or what?

No. Yes.

Let me guess. Do you work at a teaching facility?

Yes, you're good -- you're VERY good!!!!!!!!!:bowingpur

This was a very odd order! We only use our DHTs for feeds and meds. If suction is wanted/needed, an NGT is dropped & placed either to gravity or LIWS.

If it's absolutely necessary to get whatever it is out of the stomach NOW and you have a dobhoff in, you can use a 60cc syringe and pull it out manually. Just look away from the trashcan when you squirt the stuff in there. (YUCKY!)

Otherwise, NG is the way to go.

Ok, can you tell me what a Dobhoff tube is? Is it one of those tiny soft feeding tubes not used for anything else? I have only seen regular NG's. I am not on the floors anymore so I don't know.

Thanks.

Ok, can you tell me what a Dobhoff tube is? Is it one of those tiny soft feeding tubes not used for anything else? I have only seen regular NG's. I am not on the floors anymore so I don't know.

Thanks.

Yeah, that's it. Thin-walled, pliable, small bore, guide wire, weighted tip. NOT used for suction.

Clarification: When we place an NDT, we go transpyloric. NGT is strictly for decompression of stomach, draining stomach contents.