Using a 62-item, investigator-developed mailed questionnaire, this descriptive study of 350 randomly selected staff nurses sought to identify variations in practices in the care of patients with nasogastric tubes (NGT). Reported here are the results from the 35 questionnaire items related to NGT feedings and medication administration. Wide variations were found in the amount of gastric residual considered "excessive," as well as in whether the entire residual was returned to the stomach. A large percentage of the nurses relied on physicians' orders for gavage feeding rate, giving additional water, and using the liquid form of a medication. Data indicate that published nursing research is not consistently used in practice, which represents a theory-practice gap. In addition, a theory-practice deficit in several areas related to NGT feedings points to the need for further research.
Using a 62-item, investigator-developed, mailed questionnaire, this descriptive study of 350 randomly selected staff nurses sought to identify variations in the care of patients with nasogastric tubes (NGT). Reported here are the results of the 12 questionnaire items related to insertion, checking placement, and removal. Results showed that practices related to checking placement do not consistently reflect published research. Variations were noted by age and experience. Practices also varied between teaching and community hospitals. Findings have relevance for nurse educators in clinical agencies and nursing schools.
Using a 62-item investigator-developed mailed questionnaire, this descriptive study of 350 randomly selected staff nurses sought to identify variations in practices in the care of patients with nasogastric tubes. Reported here are the results on the 15 questionnaire items related to the use of nasogastric tubes for gastric decompression. Results show that practice is not always consistent with published research; additionally, there are areas of practice for which no research was found. Subjects' responses by age, education, and amount of experience showed marked frequency variations on several items, as did employment in teaching versus community hospitals. Results have implications for nursing educators in clinical agencies and nursing schools.
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