A nasogastric (NG) tube is a thin, flexible plastic tube inserted through one nostril, down the throat and oesophagus, and into the stomach. The tube is passed at the bedside by trained nurses or doctors, usually without anaesthetic. Its position in the stomach is confirmed before use by aspiration of gastric fluid and pH testing, or by chest X-ray.
NG tubes serve two main purposes: drainage and feeding. For drainage, the tube removes fluid and gas from the stomach when it is not emptying normally, when there is bowel obstruction, or to reduce the risk of vomiting and aspiration in an unconscious patient. For feeding, the tube delivers liquid nutrition (enteral feed) directly into the stomach for patients who cannot swallow safely.
In the intensive care unit following cardiac arrest, NG tubes are placed routinely in mechanically ventilated patients. Unconscious patients on a ventilator are at high risk of aspirating stomach contents into the lungs, and the NG tube both removes gastric contents and provides a route for enteral feeding once the patient is stable. Early enteral feeding via NG tube is associated with better outcomes in critically ill patients than relying on intravenous nutrition alone.
Most patients are unaware of the NG tube while sedated. When awake, the tube can cause discomfort in the throat and nose. Families often find seeing an NG tube in their loved one distressing; staff will explain its purpose. The tube is removed as soon as the patient can swallow safely and maintain adequate oral intake.
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