ABSTRACT
States intention to introduce self and confirm patient’s name and date of birth States intention to explain the need for a NG tube and the procedure, and to seek permission States that the patient should be sitting upright Gathers correct equipment and sets up a non-sterile trolley Washes hands and puts on non-sterile gloves Correctly measures the length of tube to be inserted States intention to ask the patient which nostril he/she would prefer the tube to be inserted into States intention to give the patient a glass of water (if clinically appropriate) and ask him/her to hold the water in his/her mouth ready to swallow when instructed to do so Lubricates tube using jelly and inserts into nostril and nasopharynx States intention to encourage the patient to swallow the water when insertion feels uncomfortable (if clinically appropriate) Inserts nasogastric tube to desired length Checks that the tube is correctly placed in the stomach Tapes the tube to the ‘patient’s’ nose, and connects it to a dependent catheter bag
Examiner global rating
KEY There are two types of NG tube: wide bore and narrow bore. Wide-bore tubes are used before and after gastrointestinal surgery, in intestinal obstruction, and to prevent aspiration of intestinal contents into the lungs. Narrow-bore tubes are used for enteric feeding. NG tubes come in different sizes and, as a general rule, a 12-gauge tube will be appropriate for most patients. When inserting a NG tube you will require the following equipment:
NG tube non-sterile gloves a glass of water (if appropriate) lubricating jelly a vomit bowel tape a 20 mL syringe if inserting a wide-bore tube a stethoscope or pH paper if inserting a wide-bore tube catheter bag.
