Precautions for gastric tube insertion

Gastric tube is a way of eating. Some people who are not convenient to eat orally will use gastric tube insertion to supplement some nutrients, because everyone needs to eat, and not eating may lead to death. However, there are certain precautions for gastric tube insertion to prevent some accidents. However, many people do not know its specific precautions. What are the precautions for gastric tube insertion?

Ordinary gastric tubes should be replaced once a week, and silicone gastric tubes should be replaced once a month. When replacing the gastric tube, be sure to remove it at night and insert it through the other nostril the next morning. Patients who receive long-term nasogastric feeding should prevent nasal and esophageal ulcers, gastric bleeding, lung infections and gastrointestinal bacterial infections. 1) Inserting a gastric tube is a mechanical and invasive operation that comes into direct contact with the patient's mucosa, which can easily damage the mucosa and induce infection. The operator should be skilled in the technique, reduce the number of repeated intubations, and use accurate operating methods and supine positions to improve the success rate of one-time intubation. 2) Before nasogastric feeding, check whether the gastric tube is dislocated, loose or stuck in the mouth. 3) Ensure aseptic operation during nasogastric feeding, keep tableware clean, and replace gauze and syringes once a day. 4) The food should be cooled to 38-40 degrees and placed on the inside of the forearm without feeling hot before it can be injected. If the temperature of nasogastric food is too high or too low, it may burn or freeze the mucous membrane. 5) Perform oral care every day to keep your mouth clean and prevent oral infection

Note: 1. Be gentle when intubating to avoid damaging the esophageal mucosa, especially when passing through three narrow parts of the esophagus (at the level of the cricoid cartilage, at the level of the tracheal bifurcation, and where the esophagus passes through the diaphragm).

2. When the gastric tube is inserted to 10-15 cm (throat), if the patient is conscious, ask him to swallow; if the patient is unconscious, use your left hand to lift his head so that his lower jaw is close to the sternal manubrium to facilitate insertion.

3. If the patient experiences choking, dyspnea, cyanosis, etc. during the insertion of the gastric tube, it indicates that the gastric tube has mistakenly entered the trachea and the gastric tube should be removed immediately.

4. Before each nasogastric feeding, make sure that the gastric tube is in the stomach and unobstructed, and flush the tube with a small amount of warm water before feeding. After the nasogastric feeding is completed, inject a small amount of warm boiled water again to prevent the nasogastric feeding fluid from coagulating.

5. The temperature of nasogastric feeding fluid should be kept at around 38-40cm to avoid overcooling or overheating; fresh juice and milk should be injected separately to prevent clots; tablets should be crushed and dissolved before injection.

6. Nasogastric feeding is contraindicated in patients with esophageal varices or esophageal obstruction.

7. People who receive long-term nasogastric feeding should perform oral care twice a day and replace the gastric tube regularly. Ordinary gastric tubes should be replaced once a week, and silicone gastric tubes should be replaced once a month.