What it means
A nasogastric tubenay-zoh-GAS-trik toobA thin, flexible tube passed through the nose and down the esophagus into the stomach.nas/o nosegastr/o stomach-ic having to do withFull entry is connected to low intermittent suction (or sometimes to gravity drainage) to empty the stomach. It relieves swelling, nausea and vomiting and lowers the risk of aspiration in bowel obstruction, paralytic ileus, after some abdominal surgery and in severe vomiting. Large amounts of stomach fluid lost this way remove water, potassium, sodium and acid.
For the nurse
Check tube placement and the suction setting, keep the tube patent (irrigate only as ordered), and measure and describe the drainage. Give mouth and nose care often, and watch fluid balance and electrolytes. Report bright red or coffee-ground drainage, or a sudden stop in drainage with increasing nausea.
At a glance
| Also written | gastric decompression, NG decompression |
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Related terms
nasogastric tube
A thin, flexible tube passed through the nose and down the esophagus into the stomach.
ileus
A slowing or stopping of the normal movement of the intestines, with nothing physically blocking them.
bowel obstruction
A partial or complete blockage that stops food, fluid and gas from moving through the small or large bowel.
metabolic alkalosis
An acid-base imbalance in which the blood holds too much bicarbonate, so its pH rises above 7.45.