Gastric Lavage

Question 1

What is gastric lavage?

Answer 1

Procedure that flushes the stomach and remove ingested substances through large bore tube.

Question 2

What is the purpose of gastric lavage?

Answer 2

1. Removal of unabsorbed poison (less than 1 hour ingestion) after potion ingestion
2. Cleanse stomach before endoscopic procedure
3. Collection of liquid of small particle of material from stomach for laboratory test

Question 3

What are the contraindication for this procedure?

Answer 3

1. After ingestion of corrosive substance as gastric tube may perforate or cause trauma to the esophagus
2. Patient at risk of haemorrhage or gastrointestinal
3. Patient with central nervous system depression
4. Patient with unprotected airway or craniofacial abnormalities or injuries

Question 4

Assessment for this procedure

Answer 4

1. identify the right patient
2. Review the medical notes and doctor order
3. obtain brief history to determine the type and time of drug take
4. focused physical examination
   - vital signs
   - breath odour
   - level of consciousness (this procedure should not be performed don patient who’s unconscious and absence of gag reflex without prior intubation by doctor)
   - needle tracks on skin
5. Ensure large bore NG or pro-gastric tube inserted into patient
6. Asses the need for specimens collection

Question 5

What are the equipments required for this procedure?

Answer 5

1. Large bore nasogastric or orogastric tube
2. 60mls syringe
3. Lavage solution – tap water, normal saline
4. Water soluble lubricant
5. Micropore
6. small jug
7. Large kidney dish/bowl
8. Big pail for drainage
9. Protective items – gloves, mask, protective sheet and apron
10. specimen container
11. optional: patient monitoring devices

Question 6

Which position to place the patient in?

Answer 6

Conscious: semi fowler position
Unconscious: Lateral position (side-lying)