How to insert a gastric tube into a comatose patient: operating steps and precautions
In clinical care, inserting a gastric tube into a comatose patient is a common operation and is mainly used for enteral nutrition support or drug administration. Because the comatose patient cannot cooperate, the operation needs to be done with extreme caution. This article will combine the hot medical topics in the past 10 days to organize the steps, precautions and common problems of gastric tube insertion in a structured manner.
1. Preparation before gastric tube insertion
Before operation, it is necessary to assess the patient's status and prepare relevant items, as follows:
| Project | content |
|---|---|
| assess patient | Confirm that there are no contraindications such as nasal deformity and esophageal stenosis; check whether vital signs are stable. |
| Item preparation | Gastric tube, lubricant, syringe, stethoscope, tape, gloves, normal saline, etc. |
| Postural adjustment | The patient lies in a supine position with his head tilted back (when there is no cervical spine injury). |
2. Operation steps of gastric tube insertion
The following is the detailed operation process:
| steps | Operating Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1. Measure length | The distance from the earlobe to the tip of the nose to the xiphoid process is usually 45-55cm in adults. |
| 2. Lubricate the gastric tube | Apply lubricant to the front 10-15cm to reduce nasal irritation. |
| 3. Insert into nasal cavity | Insert slowly along the nasal cavity, adjust the angle when encountering resistance, and avoid violent operation. |
| 4. Confirm location | Inject air while auscultating the sound of gas passing through the stomach, or extracting gastric juice for verification. |
| 5. Fix the gastric tube | Use tape to secure it properly on the nose and cheeks to prevent it from falling out. |
3. Precautions and Frequently Asked Questions
Please pay attention to the following risks and countermeasures during operation:
| risk | Coping methods |
|---|---|
| Accidentally enter airway | If the patient chokes or becomes cyanotic, remove the gastric tube immediately and re-operate. |
| Nasal bleeding | Select the wider side of the nasal cavity and use gentle movements. |
| Gastric tube blockage | Rinse regularly to avoid nutrient solution residue. |
4. Recent medical hotspots
In the past 10 days, the following topics have been related to the care of comatose patients:
| hot topics | Related content |
|---|---|
| AI-assisted medical operations | Some hospitals are trying to use AI imaging to assist in locating the position of the gastric tube. |
| New gastric tube material | Silicone-coated gastric tubes may reduce mucosal damage, raising concerns. |
| Home care controversy | The risks of intubation performed by non-professional family members are widely discussed. |
5. Summary
Inserting a gastric tube into a comatose patient requires strict compliance with operating procedures, and safety can be improved by incorporating the latest technological advances. Medical staff should receive regular training, and family members should not try it on their own. If long-term catheterization is required, it is recommended to choose professional institutional care.
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