Paediatric Nursing (PAED)
ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION VIA NASOGASTRIC TUBE
Administration of prescribed medications through an established nasogastric tube.
Purpose
- Deliver medications when oral route unavailable
- Ensure therapeutic drug levels
- Maintain treatment regimen
Indications
- Patient unable to swallow
- NG tube in place
- Medication compatible with enteral administration
Equipment
- Prescribed medications
- Syringes
- Water for flushing
- Medication cup
- Crusher if needed
- Gloves
Preparation
- Review medication list
- Check enteral compatibility
- Prepare individual syringes
- Calculate flush volumes
Procedure steps
- Verify medication order
- Perform hand hygiene
- Check tube placement
- Prepare medications
- Flush tube with water
- Administer each medication separately
- Flush between medications
- Flush after completion
- Document administration
Precautions
- Do not mix medications
- Verify compatibility
- Use liquid form when available
- Flush adequately between drugs
Aftercare
- Monitor for adverse effects
- Assess tube patency
- Document response
Nursing considerations
- Consider drug-nutrient interactions
- Time medications around feeds
- Monitor therapeutic levels
Patient education
- Explain medication schedule
- Discuss potential side effects
- Teach flushing technique
Documentation
- Medications given
- Doses and times
- Flush volumes
- Tube placement check
- Patient tolerance
References and further reading
Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.
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