Nasogastric Tubes: Insertion, Placement, and Removal in Adult Patients

Abstract

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.

Care of the Patient With Enteral Tube Feeding

“…Rakel et al (1994) stated that the best and most accurate method for initial tube placement assessment is via X-ray. Nurses in teaching hospitals (29%) were more likely to use radiography to assess initial tube placement than community hospitals (9%) (Schmieding, Waldman, & Desaulles, 1997). The most common methods to assess tube placement were auscultation and aspiration.…”