Medical Accessory Equipment Flashcards
3 main functions of nasogastric (NG) tubes
Feeding - pt’s who may require an NG tube for feeding include those affected by trauma, disease, altered state, surgical procedure
Decompression - used for pt’s who require removal of gas and secretions by suction, used to prevent vomiting in pt’s who have recently had surgery
Radiographic examination - of the stomach with a thin barium or water soluble cm, cm is injected by hand into the existing NG tube or oral cm can be given to pt’s being prepped for CT exam
Types of NG tubes (3) and their uses
Dobbhoff - most commonly used NG tube for feeding
Levin - most commonly used for NG tube for decompression, single lumen with several holes near tip
Salem-Sump - commonly used for decompression, double lumen, one is used to remove gastric contents and the other functions as an air vent
3 main functions of nasoenteric (NE) or nasointestinal or (NI tubes)
Decompression - used to remove gas/fluid that occurs post operatively or as a result of bowel obstruction
Radiographic examination
Feeding
Reasons for using a NE tube instead of a NG tube
- decrease or absence of peristalsis in the stomach but not in the intestines
- delayed gastric emptying
- pt has has a gastric resection
Types of NE tubes and their uses
Miller-Abbott - double lumen tube, one lumen is for drainage and the is for a balloon (balloon is weighted to simulate bolus of food and promotes peristalsis to advance the tube into the small bowel)
Harris - single lumen with one opening
Cantor - single lumen with one opening
After insertion of NG/NE tube radiograph is taken to
- confirm placement of tube
- ensure food isn’t administered into the lungs
- tube has not curled or kinked onto itself
- CXR or single view of the abdomen is used to confirm placement
- adjust centring to include tip of radiopaque NG tube
- read pt history on req indicating the reason for exam
What is a Electrocardiograph (ECG or EKG)
Device that measures the electrical activity of the heart and displays the info graphically in the form of waves on a paper tracing or monitor screen
Displays waves categorized in P Q R ST and sometimes U
Graph produced is called a electrocardiogram
detect and record cardiac irregularities
Why do we use an ECG/EKG
- standard practice in most critical care units
- patients in the ER who suffer from acute medical problems (angina/arrhythmias)
- pt’s with traumatic problems
How an EKG/ECG works
Electrodes/leads - most ER pt’s have 3 but can have up to 12, they are electrical contacts that receive tiny electrical signals produced in the pt’s heart, are stuck to the pt by an adhesive patch
Cables/wires - connect to the electrodes and display the signals on an electronic display unit
Monitor - displays heart electrical signals
Artificats and complication with ECG/EKG equipment
- patches can be left on pt’s skin for easy reattachment but will leave artifacts on the x-Ray (ok to be on image)
- cables/wires will also leave large artifacts and need to be placed on pt’s shoulder out of the way (not ok to be on image)
- pt movement could cause abnormal ECG tracing reports
- if electrodes become detached a flat line can result, always check pt and equipment before initiating a code
Location of the leads
- 2 leads are placed on the anterior part of chest on either side of the sternum at level of 2nd intercostal space
- 3 lead is attached on the side of the chest at the level of the 6/7th intercostal space
- white lead = right side of chest
- black lead = left side of chest
- green lead = side of chest
- pt movement will cause abnormal tracing so pt must remain still while EG is performed, if you unattach the pt be sure to reattach them when you are done
Indications for chest tube insertion
Hemothorax - accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity
Pneumothorax - accumulation of air/gas in the pleural cavity
- these can result from illness, injury, or thoracotomy procedure
What is thoracotomy
- Surgical creation of an opening in the chest cavity
- Performed to diagnose or treat disease or injury to the lung
- Chest tube is attached to a water sealed drainage unit to remove any air or fluid from the pleural cavity
- done to reestablish the correct intrapleural pressure and allow lungs to expand normally
Chest tube location for pneumothorax
- to remove air or gas the tube is inserted through the anterior and superior surface of the chest wall
Chest tube location form hemothorax
- remove fluid/blood the tube is inserted through the posterior and inferior surface of the chest wall