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Discussion

water or ns

When I was trained at a NICU they said never flush the NG tube with water, always use air. Now I am working at a CICU where because of the drugs, sometimes it is necessary to flush. So I figured, since they said never give a baby water, that it would be OK to flush with NS. Especially since most of these kids have low lytes anyway. But one of the new grads said they told her never to flush with NS because it could cause problems.

So, what say you and why?

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I think it will cause an electrolyte imbalance if you flush is with NS, its just like drinking salt water. We always flush with H2O.

Maybe they didn't want to flush with H2O in the NICU so that the infant wouldn't get overloaded.

  • Experts

I don't think you can get an electrolyte imbalance w/normal saline. And you shouldn't be using more than 1 ml to flush the last bit in. I usually don't flush @ all, and it works out just fine.

I think you should ask what the policy is in your new unit.

when I did my preceptorship in the NICU, we used sterile H2O to flush the NG tube.

We use air in NG/OG's and sterile water on ND's and GT's. If you are working in a cardiac unit, then the sodium in the NS may be a concern, esp if they are on multiple PO meds and bolus feeds.

When they say not to give a baby water, I think they are referring to when parents think the baby is "thirsty" they shouldn't give water, give formula so that baby doesn't fill up on water and not get the nutrients. Flushing a feeding tube is a bit different.

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