Ryle’s Tube Insertion At Home
Ryle’s tube insertion is a medical process that involves a nasogastric tube for access to the stomach and the GI tract. For an increased sense of comfort and constant supervision, our HomeCare professionals can perform these procedures at home.
Nasogastric Tube Insertion:
Nasogastric tube insertion, medically referred to as nasogastric intubation, is the process of inserting a nasogastric tube through a patient’s nose, past the throat and down into the patient’s stomach. The nasogastric or Ryles tube insertion procedure is a detailed one and should be followed diligently to avoid any complication and discomfort to the patient. Here is the step by step Ryles tube insertion procedure below;
- Before inserting the tube explain the procedure to the patient to prepare them for the procedure.
- Provide a signal to the patient for when they wish to stop the procedure owing to some discomfort.
- Make the patient sit in an upright position, with heads neither tilted backwards or forward.
- Measure the nasogastric tube from the bridge of the nose to the earlobe and then to the halfway point between the lower end of the sternum and the navel.
- Lubricate about 2 – 4 inches of the tube with a lubricant.
- Pass the tube through the bigger of the two nostrils, past the pharynx, through the oesophagus and into the stomach.
- When the tube passes the pharynx the patient experience discomfort and gag, in this time ask the patient to mimic swallowing or give the patient water with straw to sip and then continue with the insertion process.
- If any resistance is met, try slightly rotating and advancing the tube but never force the tube inside.
- Stop if patient continues to show distress or becomes cyanosed.
- Once the tube has inserted past the pharynx, it is then easily inserted in to the stomach.
- Secure the tube in place to avoid any movement.
- Check the tube’s position by pH testing method and or X – ray.
