Nasogastric Feeding Tube Insertion

What is Nasogastric Feeding Tube Insertion

A nasogastric feeding tube is a flexible tube through which liquid food or medicine can be given. This type of tube is usually needed when a person does not (or cannot) eat enough to meet his or her nutritional needs.

The tube is passed through the nose, into the back of the throat, and down into the stomach or the small intestine.

You may have a nasogastric feeding tube inserted if you:

  • Have a poor appetite, or you do not get enough protein and calories in your diet.
  • Have a serious condition, such as burns, that increases your nutritional needs.
  • Have trouble swallowing or cannot swallow safely (dysphagia).
  • Have severe nausea and vomiting due to other medical conditions or treatments.

Your health care provider can easily remove the tube when it is no longer needed.

Tell a health care provider about:

  • Any allergies you have.
  • All medicines you are taking, including blood thinners, vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
  • Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetics or numbing medicines.
  • Any blood disorders you have.
  • Any history of nosebleeds or bleeding from your stomach or throat.
  • Any recent injuries to your face.
  • Any surgeries you have had, including surgery to your nose, sinuses, or face.
  • Any history of a deviated septum or other problems with your nose.
  • Any other medical conditions you have.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

  • Bleeding from the nose or the back of the throat (oropharynx).
  • Lung infection from fluid going into the lung (aspiration pneumonia).
  • Allergic reactions to medicines.
  • Damage to other structures or organs, such as the part of the body that moves food from the mouth to the stomach (esophagus).
  • Failure to place the tube, or placing the feeding tube into the wrong area of the body.
  • Infection at the tube placement site.

What happens before the procedure?

  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking before the procedure. No other specific preparation is needed.

What happens during the procedure?

  • The inside of your nose will be examined.
  • You will be positioned so that you are sitting upright.
  • You may be given a medicine to help you relax (sedative).
  • A numbing medicine (local anesthetic) may be put into your nose. You will need to swallow to move this medicine to your throat. A local anesthetic may also be sprayed into the back of your mouth.
  • When your nose and throat are numb, your health care provider will put a slippery substance (lubricant) on the tip of the tube and place the tube in your nose.
  • The tube will be gently moved to the back of your throat.
  • You may be given a glass of water and a straw. You may need to take sips of water while the tube is being inserted.
  • A device may be placed on your belly to track the movement of the tube during insertion.
  • When the tube reaches your stomach or small intestine, an X-ray may be taken to make sure the tube is placed properly.
  • The feeding tube will be secured to your nose using tape or a bandage.
  • The tube may be connected to a suction device or a pump to deliver medicine or liquids.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

  • Your nose and throat may feel sore after the anesthetic medicines wear off.
  • If you were given a sedative:
    • Do not drive for 24 hours.
    • You will feel tired and sleepy until the medicine wears off.
  • Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level may be monitored until the medicines you were given have worn off.
  • If you will be going home with the feeding tube in place, you will be shown how to use it and care for it, and what to do if it comes out.

Summary

  • A nasogastric feeding tube is a flexible tube through which liquid food or medicine can be given.
  • The feeding tube will be slowly passed through your nose and down your throat until it reaches your stomach or small intestine.
  • You may need to take sips of water as the tube is being inserted.
  • If you will be going home with the feeding tube in place, you will be shown how to use it and care for it, and what to do if it comes out.
  • Your health care provider can easily remove the tube when it is no longer needed.

Nasogastric Feeding Tube Insertion, Adult, Care After

This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

  • Irritation in the nose or throat, or in the part of the body that moves food from the mouth to the stomach (esophagus).
  • Inflamed skin on the nose due to the tape or bandage that is used to keep the feeding tube in place.
  • Mild bleeding from the nose or throat. This usually stops on its own.
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
  • Coughing and gagging. If you cough and gag often, your feeding tube may need adjustment.
  • Stomach pain and heartburn.
  • Constant hiccups.
  • Sinus swelling (sinusitis) or discomfort.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if your condition improves.

Eating and drinking

  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you prepare formula or use the feeding tube.
  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about:
    • Caring for your feeding tube.
    • Which medicines, foods, and liquids to put through the tube, and how much.
    • Pushing fluid through the tube (flushing the tube) to prevent it from getting clogged when it is not being used.
  • Keep the tube clamped except during feedings.

Driving

  • Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a medicine to help you relax (sedative) during your procedure.
  • Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.

Activity

  • Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
  • Do not lift anything that is heavier than 10 lb (4.5 kg) until your health care provider says that it is safe.
  • Be careful to not move your feeding tube out of place.

General instructions

  • Check your nose every day for:
    • Redness, swelling, or pain.
    • Worsening skin irritation.
    • Drainage.
  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about taking baths, swimming, or using a hot tub. You may be able to shower and bathe normally.
    • Leave the tape or bandage in place on the tube while you shower or bathe.
    • After you shower or bathe, remove the tape or bandage from the tube, and replace it with new tape or a new bandage.
  • Do not use any tobacco products, such as cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • The feeding tube comes out or moves out of place.
  • Food does not pass through the tube.
  • There is leaking around the feeding tube.
  • You are not sure that the tube is in your stomach.
  • You have stomach cramps.
  • You have diarrhea.
  • You have constipation.
  • You have any of the following in your nose:
    • Redness, swelling, or pain.
    • Worsening skin irritation.
    • Drainage.

Get help right away if:

  • You cough repeatedly or have choking and breathing problems during the feeding.
  • You have shortness of breath between feedings.
  • You have chest pain, especially during feeding.
  • You vomit during or after a feeding.
  • You have severe abdominal pain that does not go away.
  • Blood or feeding fluid fills up and leaks out of the tube.
  • The feeding tube is shorter than when it was first put in. This will look like there is less of the tube outside of the body than when it was first inserted.
  • You feel weak or your heart is beating too fast.
  • Your lips turn blue.
  • You have a fever.
  • You have a seizure.

Summary

  • After the procedure, it is common for you to have irritation in the nose, throat, or esophagus.
  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about which medicines, foods, and liquids to put through the tube, and how much.
  • Contact your healthcare provider if you have redness, swelling, pain, skin irritation, or drainage at the feeding tube insertion site.
  • Get help right away if you have choking, breathing problems, or chest pain during a feeding.
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