Nasogastric tube check, easy or not?

Nasogastric tube check, easy or not?: Description

Our patient required nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding for poor nutritional intake. He was alert when NGT insertion occurred. This required two attempts due to coughing. On the second attempt, coughing was present throughout but settled gradually. NGT insertion may be tricky in the awake patient, especially if neurological deficits are present. Optimisation of position by sitting the patient upright and inserting the NGT horizontally and posteriorly should be undertaken. A correct insertion attempt should feel smooth, with minimal or no resistance. More importantly, the patient should not be distressed if the NGT has correctly entered the oesophagus. NGT malpositioning is suggested if coughing, respiratory distress or tachypnoea persists when the NGT has been inserted to the desired length. If this occurs, as with our patient, consider reinserting the NGT.

Chest X-ray was performed to check NGT position as no aspirate for pH check was obtainable (

from #Med Blogs by Alexandros G.Sfakianakis via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1ULV7ZZ
via IFTTT