A nasogastric tube is a special device designed for human enteral nutrition. It is necessary in cases where he himself can not eat food. This introduction of food is required for trauma or swelling of the tongue. Also, nutrition is thus carried out in case of damage to the pharynx, larynx or esophagus, in case of mental disorders of a person associated with refusal of food.
The introduction of food through the probe may be necessary when the patient is in an unconscious state. There are contraindications for this method of food intake - it is a gastric ulcer at the time of its exacerbation. In addition to the introduction of food through a nasogastric tube, medications can be taken. All manipulations should be under the strict guidance of a doctor.
How to insert a probe?
In order to introduce a nasogastric tube to the patient, first you need to make labels on it. You should also check the nasal passages of a person. If the patient is in an unconscious state, the probe is inserted in a lying position, his head is turned on its side. The nasogastric tube can be left for 3 weeks.
Preparation for the procedure
- It is necessary for the doctor to establish a trusting relationship with the patient or with his relatives.
- The doctor should tell the patient the purpose of the upcoming procedure and familiarize him with what kind of food he will be given. Also, the doctor should tell you about the stages of the upcoming procedure.
- The room should be ventilated in advance.
- The next step in preparing for insertion of the probe is to measure the distance from the throat to the stomach. For this, the patient must sit upright. Then the doctor should take a measurement. There is an alternative way to calculate the distance to the stomach, for this it is necessary to subtract 100 cm from human growth.
- In order for the nasogastric tube to easily enter the stomach, it is recommended to moisten it in a solution of Furacilin. The solution is diluted in a ratio of 1 to 2000. The nasogastric tube is wetted to the mark.
- Next, put the patient on the couch. He lies on his back. A pillow is placed under the head. It is necessary to make the head slightly tilted. This position will provide free insertion of the probe into the nasopharynx. A napkin is placed on the patient’s chest.
How is a probe inserted?
The doctor should carry out this procedure with gloves.
- A probe of 15 centimeters is inserted into the nasal passage. Next, you should put the patient in a reclining position. Then it’s worth telling him to swallow the probe. It should be that a person takes a position in which the instrument will freely enter the stomach.
- Next, air is injected into Jean's syringe. Then it joins the probe and is introduced into the stomach. You can hear specific sounds, which are evidence that everything is done correctly.
- In order to prevent leakage of liquid, after the syringe is disconnected, a clamp is applied to the probe. In this case, the outer end is placed in the tray.
- Next, fix the probe. To do this, a bandage is wound on the patient's face and head.
- The next step in the procedure is to remove the clamp and attach the funnel.
Nasogastric tube feeding
The probe drops to the level of the stomach. Air must not be allowed to enter there. To do this, the funnel leans and fills with food. Food should be warm, its temperature should be 38-40 degrees. After the funnel is filled with food, it is gradually raised up until the moment when the food remains only in the neck of the funnel. Then the funnel again lowers down to the level of the stomach. Then it is filled with food, the process is repeated in a similar way. After the introduction of all the food, boiled water or tea is poured into the probe. The feeding procedure is simple through a nasogastric tube. The algorithm is pretty simple.
After the food entry is completed and the probe is washed, a clamp must be installed at the end of it. Next, remove the funnel. After the end of the probe, wrap with a sterile cloth or place in a tray, but you can fix it on the patient’s neck. Leave in this condition until the next meal.
Characteristics of the nasogastric tube
The nasogastric tube is made of polyvinyl chloride. This material has a transparent color. It has the property of thermoplasticity. This means that under the influence of warm tissues, it softens. Also, modern probes are equipped with additional features that greatly facilitate the process of use. These include a radiopaque line that is present along the entire length of the probe. On some models, the side openings are arranged in a special way. This is done in order to reduce the risk of dumping syndrome. The probes are equipped with connectors that interact well with metering devices for feeding food. Also, modern connectors have special plugs. They are tightly closed if necessary. Thanks to such plugs, you can not use a clamp.
At first glance, such improvements by manufacturers seem insignificant, but the use and placement of a nasogastric tube are much easier.
Baby probe
The principle of operation of the probes is the same. But children have their own characteristics. It should be said that they can also be used for an adult. Children's probes are also made of high quality PVC. They are completely harmless, do not cause allergic reactions and can be used up to 3 weeks. Children's probes have a soft rounded end. This feature ensures good probe entry and protects against any injuries during insertion. Swallowing a soft-tip probe is painless.
There are also lateral openings at the end, through which the patient is fed through a nasogastric tube, and nutrients enter the stomach. Children's models are equipped with connectors that can be tightly and tightly closed, as well as special adapters for connecting syringes and funnels. Also, the probes have a radiopaque band with marks in centimeters. This allows you to determine at what depth the probe is.
Some manufacturers produce color-coded tools. That is, a certain color has a fixed diameter and size. Thanks to the color coding, it is easy for medical workers to navigate which probe is suitable for a particular person. Encoding tables are applied to tools.
Conclusion
Now you know what a nasogastric tube is. We also told how to prepare for the introduction of it. They also described how feeding through a nasogastric tube occurs.