Instruction on Nasogastric Tube-Feeding
 
Introduction

Cancer or cancer treatment may interfere with your ability to taste, swallow or chew food. Tube feeding is one way commonly used to assist eating. It is also well accepted by many people.

This pamphlet has been written to assist you with your tube feeding.

Why is Nutrition Important to you?

Good nutrition is important when your body has to endure the stress of illness or has to undergo treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Good nutrition also helps to heal wounds, fight infections and maintain overall strength and well being.

About your Feeding

A flexible plastic tube has been placed into your stomach through your nose so that liquid food and medications can be taken.

Steps in Feeding
   
  1. Wash your hands.
  2. Gather equipment for feeding:
    • One small strip of blue litmus paper
    • One 20 ml syringe
    • 50 ml of water
    • Liquid food
  3. Sit up or prop yourself up with two pillows during feeding to prevent food from entering the lungs.
  4. Check the length of the tube.
  5. Remove the plug of the tube and connect the tube to the syringe.
  6. Check that the tube is in the stomach before each feed:
    • Withdraw gastric content from the stomach. Test content with blue litmus paper. The blue litmus paper should turn pink (because of the acidity from the gastric content).
    • If you are unable to withdraw any gastric content, immerse the end of the tube in water to check for bubbles. If there are no bubbles, continue with feeding. If there are bubbles, stop feeding and contact your nurse.
  7. Take out the barrel from the syringe and connect it to the tube.
  8. If the liquid food cannot flow through the tube, gently force water through the tube by using the other part of the syringe (pestle).
  9. Pour the liquid food to fill at least half of the syringe until feeding is completed.
  10. Flush the tube with 20ml of water after feeding is completed.
  11. Remove the syringe and cover the tube with the plug.
  12. Do not lie down or bend over for about 30 minutes after feeding.
 
Some Useful Tips

Liquid Food
 
  1. Any unused portion of the liquid food must be refrigerated. Discard after 24 hours.
  2. Refrigerated liquid food should be warmed to room temperature. Could liquid food may cause stomach cramps.
  3. Please check the expiry date on the can or packet of the liquid food.
 
Tube
 
  1. The tube must be plugged when not in use.
  2. Extra care must be taken not to loosen the tapes that secure the tube.
  3. Loose tape must be replaced in the same manner.
  4. Dislodged tube must not be pushed back.
  5. Tube change will be as instructed by the doctor or when blocked.
 
Medications
 
  1. Medicine should be obtained in liquid form if possible.
  2. If tablets or capsules are given:
    • Capsules should be removed. Some tablets can be ground into fine powder. Check with your pharmacist whether the tablets can be crushed.
    • Powder medicine should be mixed with some water before feeding into the tube.
  3. At least 20 ml of water should be flushed through the tube after feeding medicine.
 
Mouthcare
 
It is important to keep your mouth moist and clean.
 
  • Gargle mouth with water or salt water at least 3 times a day.
  • Moisten lips with lip balm to prevent cracking
 
Solving Problems
 
Problems
Action to Take
Diarrhoea
  • Consult your doctor if it persists
Constipation
  • Increase your liquids (fruit juices & water)
  • Consult your doctor if problem continues
Thirst
  • Pour a cup of water into your tube
 
Should you encounter any problems, eg. tube slipped out, etc, please contact the nurse at the specialist Oncology Clinic during office hours.
 
Telephone Number: ________________________
Clinic : A/B/C/D
 
After office hours, please proceed to your General Practitioner of the nearest A & E Department.