NG tube feeding/giving meds

Hi everyone

I work on a unit where we do not get a lot of patients who have NG tubes and receiving feeding/medications through the NG tube. I have been a nurse for about 2 1/2 years. I remember working in the simulation lab during nursing school with NG tubes but because I rarely use this in current practice I have forgotten this skill. I have tried researching on my own but I just can't "picture giving feeding or medications through the NG tube" in my mind and I get confused.

I know how an NG tube is inserted and how to check for placement. I know that feedings are pumped through the kangaroo pump and attach it to the lumen of the NG tube. Now suppose you want to give medications (you would crush them and mix them with water and draw them up with a syringe correct) After stopping the feeding, do you leave the end of the feeding still in the NG tube or remove it and cap it so you can give the medications? Also how fast or slow should the medications go in? After giving medications your would then flush with water and then attach the feeding back?

Does anyone have videos or pictures demonstrating the above?

Thanks for all the help
Quote from ilovenursing05 After stopping the feeding, do you leave the end of the feeding still in the NG tube or remove it and cap it so you can give the medications? Also how fast or slow should the medications go in? After giving medications your would then flush with water and then attach the feeding back?Does anyone have videos or pictures demonstrating the above?

^ what they said.Also, there are certain meds that recommend you stop the feed for a certain amount of time before and after administering the med (coumadin I think is one?), but it should say it on the MAR somewhere.

We attach a lopez valve that connects the end of the NGT/DHT/PEG tube/whatever to the formula tubing and allows you to administer meds through the port at the top. Most of my pts have continuous TFs, so I usually don't stop them when I'm giving meds (unless it's something like dilantin, synthroid, etc. that require the TFs to be off 1hr before/after administration). I just turn the valve so it's "off" to the TF tubing, instill the meds with a 60 cc syringe, and then turn it back "off" to the port thing at the top so the TFs can resume infusing.

Quote from Mr. Murse^ what they said.Also, there are certain meds that recommend you stop the feed for a certain amount of time before and after administering the med (coumadin I think is one?), but it should say it on the MAR somewhere.

An Error Occurred Setting Your User CookieThis journal article is quite useful, however probably only for those of us nurses in the UK (due to policies and procedures). We tend to measure the length of NG tubes and tape them in place, as well as draw aspirate from the tube to test the pH before administering meds. We don't always use X-ray for confirmation unless pH can't be confirmed or no aspirate can be taken.

Ph paper is the best way to check for proper placement...gastric Ph is below 5.5......also if the pt is on any meds like Pepcid, Zantac etc..anything like that it WILL affect the Ph so you should ask the MD what the acceptable Ph would be for verifying proper placement...years ago we used to do the air swish to check placement, however because it isn't really reliable, Ph is the best indicator for proper placement..... :-)

When I've done meds via PEG, I've done it by gravity. Crush the meds and mix them in water (I do them individually so that if any don't go in and stay in for any reason, I know what went and what didn't). Have a cup of clean water available as well. Connect the giant syringe to the port, flush, and then remove the plunger. Pour each medication into the plunger as you hold it up, and you'll see the medications go in slowly and steadily. Be sure to pour in several ml of water to flush the tube between each medication and then flush at the end.

Youtube usually has videos of all procedures, good iuck

In my practice, we often use Corpaks (placed post-pyloric of course) and those are super easy to manipulate.Sometimes when the anatomy of the patient makes a corpak unfeasible or they need TF for 1-2 days, they will have them infused through an NG tube, in that case, I simply add a corpak extension and its super easy giving meds!

Our hospital's policy (and the policy of everywhere I have worked as an RN) is that position must be confirmed by chest X-ray before giving a feeding through an NG. Air bolus is fine for confirming placement of an NG being used for suction, but there must be a chest x-ray before feedings.

Remember if it is to LIS you need to keep it clamped for 45 minutes

Thank you everyone for your replies! I had a patient today that had a NG tube with feeding that required medications and free water to be given through the tube. It went well and I have become more comfortable!