Week 1: NG Tubes and Wounds Flashcards
What is the purpose of the NG tube?
A flexible plastic tube that is inserted through the nostrils, down the nasopharynx and into the stomach or upper portion of the small intestine to provide nutrition or remove contents
What are the standard NG tube sizes for children and adults?
Children: 5-12 French
Adults: 12-18 French
Describe a Levin tube
single lumen tube with holes near the tip
connects to either a drainage bag or intermittent bag
smaller bore
softer
more flexible
less irritating for patient
Describe a salem sump tube
two lumina, one removes gastric contents and one provides an air vent
blue pigtail
NG Tube Indications
Gain access
decompress
treatment
lavage
prevent
enteral feeding
NG Tube safety considerations
DO NOT lie flat, semi fowlers
no oral intake (unless ordered)
check tube position prior to med administration
elevate HOB 30-60 mins after feeding
provide oral care in patient unable to do so
tape in place to reduce irritation from movement
pin to gown to prevent pulling
NG tube complications
tissue trauma
aspiration
abdominal pain/discomfort
patency compromised
dehydration
NG Tube assessment pieces (12)
suction set to rate/pressure
amount and quality of gastric contents
check canister and tubing secured
check equipment function
check for placement/length changes
assess oral/mucus membrane health
assess abdominal distension, BS, N/V, flatus, BM
check tube irrigation
positioning
skin breakdown
no coiling tube in back of mouth
patients ability to speak
NG Tube procedure steps
- Assess nares
- prepare tube (lube, prep pin/tape, measure)
- Prepare patient (high fowlers, basin, water)
- Insert tube
- Check back of throat for coiling, check placement, initiate suction/feed
technique to insert NG tube
- slowly into nostril along nasal floor towards the ear
- Advance steadily with rotating motion till tube reaches oropharynx
- Pause one resistance felt, may gag /cough, encourage water
What should the nurse do if the patient is having severe/continuous gagging or coughing?
STOP, withdraw the tube and reassess the patient. when respiratory pattern and oxygenation return to baseline reattempt
What are some alternate forms of checking placement?
assessing stomach secretions, clear, colourless or pale yellow/green
injecting air into tube while auscultating stomach, flush tube with 20 mL or air and observe whooshing sound
NG removal steps
- Check order
- Apply blue pad to chest, remove tape and unpin gown
- May install 50 mL of water into tube to prevent aspiration
- Instruct patient to take deep breath an half
- remove in smooth fluid motion
- inspect tip to ensure intact
- provide oral/nasal care
- document
What components of the NG tube insertion
process need to be documented
size, type, length of tube
external length measurement/securement
which nare was used for insertion
confirmation of placement done
suction rate and characteristics of output
type and rate of enteral feeding
assessment performed
patients tolerance
What 3 factors contribute to the development of a pressure injury
- pressure intensity
- pressure duration
- tissue tolerance
Describe an open (passive system)
uses a soft, flexible rubber tube to maintain an opening in tissue to prevent a buildup up of fluid, the fluid makes it way out of the tissues and is deposited onto a sterile covering dressing, it may be sutured in place to prevent accidental removal
Woven Gauze Dressings
Packing material
Transparent Film Dressings
self-adhesive, occlusive and trap moisture over the wound providing a moist environment
Non-adherent contact layer dressings
provide protection to fragile granulating tissue while allowing interstitial fluid and moisture to evacuate
Soft silicone dressing
atraumatic contact wound layer that can be removed with no damage to the wound bed
Hydrocolloid
adhesive and occlusive, forms a gel as it absorbs moisture