Paediatric Nursing (PAED)
FEEDING A CHILD VIA NASO-GASTRIC TUBE
This is the administration of liquid nutrition/medication directly into the stomach through a nasogastric tube.
Purpose
- Provide nutrition when oral feeding is not possible
- Administer medications
- Decompress stomach
- Obtain gastric specimens
Indications
- Inability to swallow
- Premature infants
- Neurological impairment
- Respiratory distress
Equipment
- Appropriate size NG tube
- Syringe (5-10ml for checking, 60ml for feeding)
- Stethoscope
- pH strips
- Feeding formula/medication
- Water for flushing
- Tape/fixation device
- Gloves
Preparation
- Gather equipment
- Calculate feeding volume
- Warm formula to room temperature
- Position child appropriately
Procedure steps
- Verify order and explain procedure
- Perform hand hygiene and don gloves
- Measure insertion distance (nose-ear-xiphoid)
- Mark tube at measured length
- Lubricate tube tip
- Insert tube gently through nostril
- Advance tube while child swallows
- Verify placement by pH testing
- Secure tube in place
- Aspirate to check residual if ordered
- Administer feed/medication slowly
- Flush with water
- Document procedure
Precautions
- Verify tube placement before each use
- Check residuals per protocol
- Elevate head during feeding
- Monitor for aspiration signs
Aftercare
- Maintain tube patency
- Provide nasal care
- Monitor tolerance
- Document intake
Nursing considerations
- Use smallest appropriate tube
- Provide comfort measures
- Involve parents in care
Patient education
- Explain purpose of tube feeding
- Teach signs of displacement
- Demonstrate care techniques
Documentation
- Tube size and insertion length
- Placement verification method and result
- Amount and type of feed
- Child's tolerance
- Residual volumes
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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