
Nasogastric (NG) feeding is where a narrow feeding tube is placed through your nose down into your stomach. The tube can be used to give you fluids, medications and liquid food complete with nutrients directly into your stomach. What are the benefits of nasogastric tube feeding?
How to give a feeding in an NG tube?
Giving a Feeding in an NG Tube (for adults) Preparing for an NG tube feeding Before working with the NG tube: •Clean your hands with soap and water each time you work with your feeding tube. •Make sure that the type of formula is correct and
What is a nasogastric feeding tube?
Nasogastric Tube Feeding Using a Feeding Pump Nasogastric Tube Feeding Using a Feeding Pump A nasogastric (NG) tube is a thin, soft tube that passes through the nose and into the stomach. The NG tube allows your child get the nutrition, fluid and / or medications that he / she needs.
How do I clean my feeding tube?
Connect the feeding administration set tubing to the feeding tube. 13. Start the feeding pump. 14. When the feeding is finished, turn off the pump, remove the feeding set and flush the NG tube with water. 15. Clean the end of the feeding tube with a toothbrush and warm water. What Other Things Do I Need to Remember?
What are the uses of a feeding tube?
It can be used for all feedings or for giving a person extra calories. You'll learn to take good care of the tubing and the skin around the nostrils so that the skin doesn't get irritated. Follow any specific instructions your nurse gives you.

What can be given through NG tube?
A nasogastric (NG) tube is a thin, soft tube that passes through the nose and into the stomach. The NG tube allows your child get the nutrition, fluid and / or medications that he / she needs.
Can you give nutrition through NG tube?
A feeding nasogastric tube is a flexible, fine-bore, radio-opaque tube passed into the stomach via the nose. It is used to deliver nutritional support and medications to patients who are unable to swallow or are unable to meet their nutritional requirements by mouth.
When should a NG tube be fed?
Generally, a child will be given an NGT so that specially prepared liquid food or fluids can be passed down the tube. The reasons your child might need an NGT for feeding include: problems with sucking and swallowing. dehydration from vomiting/diarrhoea and not drinking enough.
What liquids can you put in a feeding tube?
You may be able to crush or dissolve pills and put them into the feeding tube, but talk to your doctor first....Other liquids can go into a tube, too:Almost anything clear, such as water and club soda.Enzyme treatments.Fluids that replace electrolytes, like sports drinks.Juice.
Which nutrient should always be considered with tube feedings?
The nutrients within the tube feed are similar to what you would get from normal food, and are also digested in the same way. Tube feeds contain all the nutrients you need on a daily basis, including carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water.
Can you drink water with a feeding tube?
Individuals with enteral feeding tubes are unable to drink water orally and must stay hydrated with fluids that are put directly through their tubes. Hydration is a very important factor in living with a feeding tube and is often forgotten about since feeding tubes primarily focus on caloric intake.
How often do you flush an NG tube?
At a minimum you should flush the NG tube after every feed and after giving medication, using 5-20mL of water depending on your child's age or as recommended by your health professional. If feeding and medications are less frequent the tube should be flushed every 4 hours.
What is normal NG output?
The average daily nasogastric output was 440 +/- 283 mL (range 68-1565).
How often should NG tube be changed?
Long term NG and NJ tubes should usually be changed every 4–6 weeks swapping them to the other nostril (grade C).
Can you make your own food for a feeding tube?
But with proper guidance, gastrostomy-fed people (who have a tube inserted into their abdomen that connects to their stomach) can have the option of making their own formula using whole foods — called blenderized feedings.
Can you put Gatorade in a feeding tube?
To hydrate patients without an IV, doctors at Mass General are giving them Gatorade. For those patients unable to eat or drink, they are receiving Gatorade through a feeding tube.
What are the 3 types of feeding?
We can conveniently classify feeds into three main types: (1) roughages, (2) concentrates, and (3) mixed feeds.
Can you make your own food for a feeding tube?
But with proper guidance, gastrostomy-fed people (who have a tube inserted into their abdomen that connects to their stomach) can have the option of making their own formula using whole foods — called blenderized feedings.
Is nasogastric feeding enteral?
The main types of enteral feeding tubes include: Nasogastric tube (NGT) starts in the nose and ends in the stomach. Orogastric tube (OGT) starts in the mouth and ends in the stomach. Nasoenteric tube starts in the nose and ends in the intestines (subtypes include nasojejunal and nasoduodenal tubes).
How do you give Ng feed?
Giving the feedingsWash your hands.Measure the correct amount of formula and warm it to the desired temperature. ... Check tube placement as above (observing mark on NG tube and pH testing).Pinch the tube.Attach a syringe to the feeding tube.Pour the formula into the syringe.Unpinch the tube.More items...
What are your nursing responsibilities for NG tube care?
Nursing ConsiderationsProvide oral and skin care. Give mouth rinses and apply lubricant to the patient's lips and nostril. ... Verify NG tube placement. Always verify if the NG tube placed is in the stomach by aspirating a small amount of stomach contents. ... Wear gloves. ... Face and eye protection.
How to check NG tube?
Check that the NG tube is in the right place: Measure the outside length of the tube and check that this is has not changed. External length = measurement of feeding tube from nostril to base of the hub. OR check the marking on the NG tube, making sure it is right next to the nostril.
How many ml syringes to use for NG tube?
Connect a 5 – 10 ml syringe to the end of the NG tube and pull back to get stomach contents.
What Do I Do If Formula / Breastmilk Backs Up into the Farrell Bag?
If formula / breastmilk backs up into the Farrell bag, this means your child’s stomach cannot handle the feedings or there is a problem with the tubing or the feeding tube.
How to get formula out of a Farrell bag?
Flush the feeding tube with a small amount of water. Drain the formula / breastmilk from the Farrell bag into a cup. You need to do this because you cannot control how fast the formula / breastmilk flows. Disconnect the Farrell bag tubing and open the clamp. Measure the amount of formula / breastmilk not given.
How to get a baby to eat with a farrell bag?
First, close the clamp on the Farrell bag. Check your child to make sure their stomach is not swollen or bloated. Check the feeding tube for kinks. Check to make sure the feeding tube is not clogged: Disconnect the Farrell tubing from the feeding tube. Flush the feeding tube with a small amount of water.
What happens if you remove a NG tube?
If you remove the NG tube, pinch the feeding tube so that formula does not drip from the tube and get into your child’s lungs. If the feeding tube has a stylet (thin wire that goes in the NG tube during placement), save the stylet. You will need to re-insert the stylet when you reinsert the NG tube.
What to do if you can't remove stomach contents?
If you are unable to remove stomach contents, remove the NG tube and reinsert tube.
How to keep a child from touching a NG tube?
If your child has an NG tube, try to keep your child from touching or pulling on the tube. After your nurse teaches you how to flush the tube and perform skin care around the nose, set up a daily routine for these tasks.
How to take care of a tube?
Taking Care of the Skin. Clean the skin around the tube with warm water and a clean washcloth after each feeding. Remove any crust or secretions in the nose. When removing a bandage or dressing from the nose, loosen it first with a bit of mineral oil or other lubricant. Then gently remove the bandage or dressing.
What is the tube that feeds the stomach called?
Nasogastric feeding tube. A nasogastric tube (NG tube) is a special tube that carries food and medicine to the stomach through the nose. It can be used for all feedings or for giving a person extra calories.
Why do you flush a tube?
Flushing the tube helps release any formula stuck to the inside of the tube. Flush the tube after each feeding, or as often as your nurse recommends.
Why do you take care of tubing around your nostrils?
You'll learn to take good care of the tubing and the skin around the nostrils so that the skin doesn't get irritated.
What to do if water doesn't go through syringe?
If the water does not go through, try changing positions a bit or attach the plunger to the syringe, and gently push the plunger part-way. Do not press all the way down or press fast.
How to check NG tube?
Make sure the NG tube is in the right place. Wash your hands with soap and water. Check that the NG tube is in the right place: Measure the outside length of the tube and check that this is has not changed. External length = measurement of feeding tube from nostril to base of the hub OR checking the marking on the NG tube, ...
What is a nasogastric tube?
A nasogastric (NG) tube is a thin, soft tube that passes through the nose and into the stomach. The NG tube allows your child get the nutrition, fluids or medications that he/she needs. NG tube training sessions must occur for all patients at home with a feeding tube.
What to do if you can't remove stomach contents?
If you are unable to remove stomach contents, remove the NG tube and reinsert tube.
How to help a child with a round stomach?
If the stomach remains large and round or your child continues with discomfort after one hour, call your nurse or doctor. Flush the feeding tube with water before and after giving medications as recommended by your provider. This keeps the feeding tube from clogging.
What to do if your child is choking during feeding?
If your child begins to choke or gag during a feeding, stop the feeding. Re-check tube placement. Restart the feeding when your child is no longer choking or gagging. Know that there is possibility that your child could throw up and the tube could come out of his/her mouth.
How to measure breastmilk?
1. Wash your hands with soap and water. 2. Give formula/breastmilk as ordered by your doctor. 3. Gather the supplies: Formula/breastmilk. Bottle or container to measure formula/breastmilk. 30 or 60 ml syringe.
Can you re-use a NG tube?
If you remove the NG tube, pinch the feeding tube so that formula does not drip from the tube and get into your child’s lungs. You can re-use the same feeding tube. Always check the end of the feeding tube that goes into the stomach for any holes or tears before you reuse it.
Why are feeding tubes necessary?
Why are feeding tubes necessary? Sometimes a child is not able to eat or does not eat enough to stay healthy and grow. Sometimes a child cannot swallow food safely. By using a feeding tube, we can make sure the child gets enough nutrition.
What does it mean when a child's feeding tube is blue?
If your child coughs, chokes, gasps, turns blue around the lips or is not able to speak, remove the tube right away. These may mean that the feeding tube is in your child’s breathing tube (trachea).
Can a child be fed through a tube?
Sometimes, the feeding tube may come out with heavy coughing. Coughing the tube out during the feeding does not mean your child cannot be fed through a tube. Stop the feeding, put the tube back in, make sure it is in the right place (see pages 11-12, step 14 of Putting in the NG) and finish the tube feeding.
Why do we need NG tube feeding?
The use of NG tube feeding is normally intended to be a short intervention to support physical health restoration. If your child is not gaining weight, other factors might be at play, for instance not enough calories, excessive exercise, vomiting…. The need for NG feeding should be reviewed daily by the multidisciplinary team (MDT).
What is NG tube?
The NG tubes are made from soft plastic, designed to be flexible . The passage of the tube can be uncomfortable but should not be painful or scary. The nurse who passes the tube is experienced in this procedure. The nurse will explain the procedure, and there are other staff member supporting your child. If your child is consenting to this procedure, then they will be encouraged to drink a glass of water at the time to help pass the tube.
How does a nurse feed a syringe?
When feeding by syringe bolus, a nurse gradually pushes the feed into the tube using a syringe. The next fastest method is by gravity bolus, where the feed flows out of a syringe, or a bag, into the tube by gravity. Enteral pumps, on the other hand, deliver a slow, continuous feed over a number of hours.
Why do eating disorders use push syringes?
Eating disorders units normally use push syringe bolus feeds. This is because they are quicker and less distressing for the young person. Furthermore, if someone is needing to be restrained for NG feeding this is the ‘least restrictive’ practice.
Why do young people get distressed during NG feeding?
Unfortunately, some young people can become very distressed during NG feeding (due to the fear of being fed and/or gaining weight) and staff members may need to apply physical interventions to maintain the person’s safety as well as staff safety.
What to do if your child is consenting to a tube?
If your child is consenting to this procedure, then they will be encouraged to drink a glass of water at the time to help pass the tube.
Can you take medication before feeding?
Yes, some children and young people can take medication before the feed to help them stay calm for the intervention. These medications would be prescribed by the psychiatrist on a case-by-case basis and the need for this would be reviewed regularly.
What is tube feeding?
Tube feeding is when you get your nutrients through a feeding tube if you aren’t able to get enough through eating and drinking, or if you can’t swallow safely. Nutrients provide energy and help you heal. The bolus method is a type of feeding where a syringe is used to send formula through your feeding tube.
How to use a feeding tube without a clamp?
If you’re using a tube without a clamp, pinch the end of the tube to avoid leakage or put the tube in a cup. For the rest of this resource, when we use the words “unclamp” or “reclamp,” you should “unpinch” or “repinch” your feeding tube instead. Figure 3. Open plug at end of legacy connector (left) and ENFit (right)
How to put a catheter tip syringe in a feeding tube?
Fill the syringe with formula. Put the catheter tip syringe into your feeding tube or button adapter (see Figure 9). Make sure that the tip of the syringe is placed firmly. You can put a piece of tape over the connection to keep it from separating.
What tube do you use for bolus?
This information will help teach you how to use the bolus method to feed yourself and take your medications through your percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), gastrostomy tube (GT), or nasogastric tube (NGT).
How to choose the time of feeding?
You can choose the times of your feedings, as long as you reach your daily nutritional goals. Write in the times you prefer or your doctor, advanced practice provider (APP), or clinical dietitian nutritionist recommends.
Can you drink tap water?
A container of water. You can use tap water as long as it’s safe to drink.
Should you reclamp a feeding tube before removing a catheter tip?
Always reclamp your feeding tube before removing your legacy catheter tip or ENFit syringe to avoid leakage.
