MABINI COLLEGES

NCM 103
FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
Skills Laboratory

GASTRIC GAVAGE

Definition: it is the introduction of nourishment into the stomach by means of a tube passed through the
nose or the mouth.

Purpose: To provide the patient with food and or medication.

Special Considerations:

1. Be sure that the nasogastric tube is patent and is in the stomach before introducing any feeding.
2. Give the correct kind and required amount of feeding at regular intervals as scheduled by the nurse or
specified by the physician.
3. Warm only the specific amount of formula for each feeding.
4. Test the temperature of the formula prior to administration by dropping a small amount of the formula
on thinner aspect of the wrist.
5. Do not warm feeding given by drip method as it will approximate room temperature as it passes thru
the tube of drip.
6. If not contraindicated, allow the patient to taste a small amount of the feeding to stimulate the flow of
digestive juices.
7. Make certain that the feeding to be given or to be administered is not spoiled nor rancid.

Preparation:
Equipment: prescribed feeing formula
Calibrated drinking glass
Bowl with warm water
Asepto syringe or substitute (funnel or barrel)
Medicine glass with tap water
Syringe 50ml (for aspiration)
Towel or napkin

Preparation at the Nurse’s station

Patient and Unit:

Procedure:
A. SYRINGE OR FUNNEL METHOD
Suggested Actions Principle or Rationale
1. Help the patient assume a sitting position. If This position aids the tube to pass easier into the
contraindicated, elevate slightly the head of the stomach and prevents aspiration of the formula
bed and turn the head to the right side. into the respiratory tract.
2. Place the towel on the chest or preferably on the The towel protects the patient’s clothing and bed
side where feeding will be given. linens from soiling.

3. Check the patency and placement of the tube by Checking the patency and placement of the tube
using any of the methods indicated in the ensures correct administration of food into the
previous procedure. stomach.
4. Hold the end of the nasogastric tube and bend Bending the tube over itself prevents accidental
 over itself or pinch it off. entrance of air into the stomach.
5. Attach the syringe barrel to the free end of the This is in preparation to the introduction of the
tube. feeding.
6. Keeping the tube pinched and barrel straight, Pinching the tube while pouring the formula
pour the formula into the barrel prevents the entrance of air in the stomach.
7. Release the pinch on the tube and allows the Releasing the pinch on the tube allows the feeding
feeding to flow slowly by gravity. to flow into the stomach. Rapid introduction of
feeding may cause nausea and vomiting and
backflow of feeding.
8. Maintain the height of the gavage container at 8- Holding the container in this high allows feeding
12 inch (1 foot) above the patient’s level. to flow by gravitational force. Increased height of
the container may cause nausea and vomiting or
backflow of feeding.
a. If the formula is thick or fails to flow, raise This action creates increased pressure thus
the container a bit or apply slight pressure facilitating flow of feeding.
on the plunger or bulb of the syringe.
9. When the required amount of formula is Water rinses that tube, and prevents coagulations
consumed follow with 30-60cc of water: of formula within the tube.
- Clamp and of disconnect the tube as soon as Clamping the tube prevents backflow of gastric
the water has emptied into the tubing. contents.
- Cover the end of the NGT with a piece of
gauze. This prevents soiling and contamination.
10. Keep the patient in sitting position or on This helps prevent aspiration of gastric contents.
his right side for an hour more. Change of position immediately after feeding
might provoke nausea and vomiting.
11. Remove the towel, keep the patient
comfortable.
12. Clean and return used equipment. It renders them safe and ready for next use.
13. Chart the following:
- Time the feeding was given
- Type and amount of feed given
- Untoward reactions noted such as nausea,
vomiting, abdominal distention, diarrhea

Prepared by:

MARIA CECILIA C. PERCIL, RN