Table of Contents
REQUIREMENTS #
- An inserted nasogastric tube
- A tray containing:
- Prescribed amount of feed
- Feeding syringe 50/60 cc
- Calibrated cup/container
- Bottle of water
- Jaconet cape/adult bib
- Disposable gloves
- 20cc syringe in a receiver
- Stethoscope
STEPS #
- Establish rapport with patient and relatives (Refer to steps)
- Explain procedure to patient and relatives (Refer to steps)
- Confirm the type and amount of feed against patient’s records
- Perform hand hygiene
- Send prepared feed in a tray to the patient’s bedside
- Assist patient into a fowler’s position or slightly elevate the head end of the bed
- Make patient comfortable and protects his/her clothes with the jaconet cape/adult bib
- Check for proper placement of tube in the stomach by
- Aspirating abdominal contents for a typical gastric fluid appearance (grassy-green, colourless with mucus shreds) in the tube OR
- Inject 5 – 20cc of air through the tube and auscultate epigastric region with a stethoscope and listen for the whooshing sound simultaneously
- Pour the feed into the calibrated cup and check the temperature
- Pinch the naso-gastric tube, remove spigot and connect the empty syringe barrel
- NB: Ensure that throughout the procedure the tube is never allowed to empty completely to prevent air from entering patient’s stomach
- Hold the syringe in an upright position and pour 10-20mls of water to flush the tube before introducing the feed
- Pour the feed into the syringe barrel, release the pinch and allow the feed to run by gravity
- Continue feeding and observe patient for signs of discomfort till feeding is completed
- Flush the tube with 10-20mls of water at the end of feeding
- Pinch tube, remove the syringe barrel and replace in spigot
- Assist patient to remain in the sitting up position for at least 30 minutes after feeding
- Remove protective clothing, dispose off tray and wash items
- Perform hand hygiene and document on appropriate charts (manual or electronic)
