The nasogastric tube is a thin, flexible tube, placed in the hospital from the nose to the stomach, and allows medications to be maintained and administered to people who cannot swallow or eat normally due to a type of surgery. in the mouth and throat area, or due to degenerative diseases.
Feeding through the tube is a relatively simple process, however, it is important to take some precautions to prevent the tube from moving and to prevent food from reaching the lungs, which could cause pneumonia, for example.
- Ideally.
- The tube feeding technique should always be trained by the caregiver in the hospital.
- With the help and advice of a nurse.
- Before the person returns home.
- In cases where the person with the tube is autonomous.
- The feeding task can be performed by the person himself.
Before starting the nasogastric tube feeding technique, it is important that the person sits or lifts the back with a pillow, to prevent food from returning to the mouth or being sucked into the lungs. Then follow the step by step:
1. Place a cloth under the nasogastric tube to protect the bed or person from food scraps that may fall from the syringe.
2. Fold the end of the nasogastric probe, tightening it firmly so that no air enters the probe, as shown in the image, and remove the cover by placing it on the fabric.
3. Insert the tip of the 100 ml syringe into the probe opening, unfold the tube and pull the piston to suck the liquid from inside the stomach.
If it is possible to suck more than half of the amount of liquid from the previous meal (about 100 ml), it is recommended to feed the person later, when the content is less than 50 ml, for example. The aspirated content should always be put back in the stomach.
4. Fold the end of the nasogastric tube back and tighten it firmly so that no air enters the tube when the syringe is removed. Replace the cover before unfolding the probe.
5. Fill the syringe with crushed and filtered food and put it back in the tube, bending the tube before removing the lid. Food should not be too hot or too cold, as they can cause thermal shock or burns when it reaches the stomach. Medications can also be diluted with food, allowing tablets to be crushed.
6. Fold the tube again and slowly press the syringe piston, draining 100 ml in about 3 minutes, to prevent food from entering the stomach too quickly. Repeat this step until you have finished feeding all the food, bending and obstructing the tube with the stopper each time you remove the syringe.
After feeding the person, it is important to wash the syringe and put at least 30 ml of water in the tube to wash the tube and prevent it from becoming clogged. However, if the tube has not yet been watered, the tube can be washed with approximately 70 ml to prevent dehydration.
In addition to food, it is very important to remember to offer 4 to 6 glasses of water a day through the tube, or when the person is thirsty.
To properly feed a person with a nasogastric tube, it is important to have the following material:
The feeding syringe should be washed after each use and replaced at least every 2 weeks with a new one purchased from a pharmacy.
In addition, to prevent the tube from clotting, and it needs to be changed, you should only use liquid foods, such as soup or vitamins, for example.
After feeding the person with a nasogastric tube, it is important to keep the person sitting or with their backs up for at least 30 minutes, to facilitate digestion and avoid the risk of vomiting. However, if it is not possible to keep the person sitting for a long time, turn them to the right to respect the anatomy of the stomach and prevent food reflux.
In addition, it is important to give water regularly through the tube and maintain the patient’s oral hygiene because, although not fed orally, bacteria continue to grow, which can cause cavities or canker sores for example. See a simple technique for brushing a person’s teeth bedridden.
Feeding to the nasogastric tube, called a enteral diet, can be done with almost all kinds of foods, however, it is important that the food is well cooked, crushed in a blender and then filtered to remove the pieces of fiber that may end. obstructing the probe. In addition, the juices should be prepared in the centrifuge.
Since much of the fiber is removed from food, it is common for the doctor to recommend the use of certain nutritional supplements, which can be added and diluted in the final preparation of food.
There are also ready-to-eat dishes, such as Fresubin, Cubitan, Nutrirink, Nutren or Diason, for example, which are purchased from pharmacies in the form of powder to dilute in water.
This sample menu is an option for a person’s feeding day who needs to be fed by a nasogastric tube.
In addition, it is important to give water to the patient through the tube, about 1.5 to 2 liters throughout the day and not to use the water only to wash the tube.
Most nasogastric tubes are very resistant and can therefore remain in place for approximately 6 consecutive weeks or according to doctor’s instructions.
In addition, it is important to change the probe and go to the hospital every time the tube leaves the site and whenever it is blocked.