nasogastric tube

[na″zo-gas´trik]

NG tube; a tube of soft rubber or plastic that is inserted through a nostril and into the stomach for instilling liquid foods or other substances or for gastric decompression. Both medications and nutritive feedings can be given through the tube; see also tube feeding. Prior to insertion of the tube a measurement is made to assure that the distal end of the tube will be positioned in the stomach. This is done by placing the tip of the tube on the bridge of the patient's nose and then marking on the tube the point at which it touches the tip of the xiphoid process. Once the tube is inserted its position should be checked to be sure it is in the stomach and not the trachea or bronchi. This is done by aspirating for stomach contents, using a bulb syringe or 50-ml aspirating syringe. Alternatively, the syringe can be used to inject air into the tube while at the same time listening through a stethoscope for a “whooshing” sound made by the air being injected. The tube should be anchored so that it points downward away from the nares. It is not brought up over the nose and anchored by tape over the bridge of the nose. This increases irritation of the nasal mucosa, impedes circulation, and causes unnecessary discomfort. To avoid tension and drag on the tube a pin and rubber band can be used to secure the tube to the shoulder of the patient's gown or pajama top. mouth care is of particular importance while a nasogastric tube is in place.

Nasogastric tube. From Lammon et al., 1996.

na·so·gas·tric tube

a flexible tube passed through the nose and into the gastric pouch to decompress the stomach.

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

na·so·gas·tric tube

(nā'zō-gas'trik tūb)

A tube used for feeding or suctioning stomach contents; inserted through the nose and down the esophagus into the stomach.
Synonym(s): NG tube.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

nasogastric tube

A narrow, soft rubber or plastic tube that can easily be passed through the nose and down the gullet (oesophagus) into the stomach. Nasogastric tubes are used to withdraw samples of the stomach contents or to supply liquid nutrition to people too ill to swallow. Also known as a Ryle's tube.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

Nasogastric tube

A tube placed through the nose into the stomach.

Mentioned in: Life Support

na·so·gas·tric tube

(nā'zō-gas'trik tūb)

A tube used for feeding or suctioning stomach contents; inserted through the nose and down the esophagus into the stomach.

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

Nasogastric tube pharyngeal misplacement confirmed by fibroscopy was associated with worsening dysphagia in 1 study.

Complications Associated With Nasogastric Tube Placement in the Acute Phase of Stroke: A Systematic Review

Fifteen minutes after removal of the nasogastric tube, the patient abruptly became unresponsive to command, developed frank hematemesis, and then lost a palpable pulse.

Deaths associated with insertion of nasogastric tubes for enteral nutrition in the medical intensive care unit: Clinical and autopsy findings

Presence of nasogastric tube impairs the cough reflex and provides a more direct pathway for oropharyngeal bacteria to lungs, thus increasing respiratory tract infection.

CLINICAL STUDY OF POSTOPERATIVE PULMONARY COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING ABDOMINAL OPERATIONS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Park, "The effectiveness of ultrasonography in verifying the placement of a nasogastric tube in patients with low consciousness at an emergency center," Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, vol.

Verifying the Placement of Nasogastric Tubes at an Emergency Center: Comparison of Ultrasound with Chest Radiograph

"The nasogastric tube feeding provided an 80 ml drip 24 hours a day, which provided a constant base intake.

Patient Preferences and Experiences in Hyperemesis Gravidarum Treatment: A Qualitative Study

The presence of a nasogastric tube is associated with development of these fistulae; therefore, prolonged NG tube placement should be carefully considered in patients with known anomalous right subclavian arteries.

Anomalous Right Subclavian Artery-Esophageal Fistulae

In our present case, several risk factors were identified including feeding in a supine position, mechanical ventilation, anoxic brain injury, nasogastric tube feeding, and the use of casein-containing formulas.

Nasogastric Tube Feeding-Induced Esophageal Bezoar: Case Description

Interestingly in our patient, she converted to and stayed in sinus rhythm after decompression of the distended stomach with nasogastric tube placement, suggesting the hint of a tentative causal link.

Acute Gastric Volvulus and Atrial Fibrillation with RVR: A Coincidence or Association

Since then he has been fed through a nasogastric tube and has a severe food aversion, while he also suffers with a wheat allergy.

LITTLE CALLUM HAS TO BE FED THROUGH A TUBE; Now mum Toni is raising funds to send her boy to Great Ormond Street Hospital for surgery

The couple from Bridgend, whose eight-year wait for twins Logan and Grace ended after their third attempt at IVF, said their babies were fed breast milk via a nasogastric tube (passed into the stomach via the nose).

Parents' concern as twins given wrong breast milk

Maxim Petrov and colleagues looked at whether nasogastric tube feeding was preferable to NPO in patients with mild to moderate pancreatitis.

NPO good for people with pancreatitis?