|  | Conditions Treatments | Digestive Health

How to Care for Nasogastric Tubes at Home

A nasogastric tube is made of long plastic tubing. It is inserted into a person through his nose, down his throat and into his stomach. A patient can be fed through a nasogastric tube. Apart from nutrition, medication can also be given through the nasogastric tube. In a case where a person has ingested poison or needs to have the contents of his stomach sucked out, a nasogastric tube can be used. Here, the nasogastric tube is connected to a suction system to aspirate the contents of the stomach. Proper care of a nasogastric tube reduces the risk of its associated complications like skin breakdown.

Things You'll Need

  • 60ml Catheter Tipped Syringe
  • Benzoin
  • Tape
Show More

Instructions

  1. How to Care for Nasogastric Tubes at Home

    • 1

      Wash your hands before handling your nasogastric tube. Do this to reduce the risk of transferring disease causing organisms into your system.

    • 2

      Put a mark on the part of your nasogastric tube that comes out of your nostril. Finding the mark at the right spot increases the chances that your tube has not moved and is in your stomach.

    • 3

      Always check placement of your nasogastric tube before any feedings. Place a stethoscope over your stomach and inject 30ml of air into your nasogastric tube with your syringe while listening with your stethoscope. If you hear a whooshing or bubbling sound, then your tube is in your stomach, and you can start feeding. Burping means the tube is not in your stomach. In this case, contact your health care provider.

    • 4

      Aspirate the contents of your stomach before new feedings. Use a 60ml syringe to suck out the contents of your stomach through your nasogastric tube tube. If the content is less than 100ml, start the feeding. If it exceeds this amount, notify your healthcare provider.

    • 5

      Flush your tube with the prescribed type and amount of of fluid ordered by your physician before and after every feeding. Sit up during feedings and for about an hour after feeding to prevent aspiration.

    • 6

      Inspect the nose with the tube in it for redness, wounds or excessive dryness. You may apply petroleum jelly to the nostril to reduce the risk of skin breakdown or dryness.

    • 7

      Secure the tube to your nose to prevent displacement of the tube. Apply benzoin to your nose before applying the tape.

    • 8

      If your tube gets displaced or the mark on your tube has shifted, contact your health care provider.

Digestive Health - Related Articles