A nasogastric tube (NGT) may be needed when a person cannot safely take enough food, fluids or medication by mouth. This can happen after a stroke, with swallowing difficulties, neurological conditions, cancer or other illnesses.

Once the patient is stable enough to return home, care continues beyond feeding alone. Safe NGT care also involves checking the tube before use, flushing it correctly, giving medication safely and looking after the nose, skin and mouth.

What to Check Before and After NGT Feeding

Positioning is important during feeding. The patient should be sitting upright or have the upper body elevated rather than lying flat. The upper body should also remain elevated for a period after feeding.

Before using the tube, make sure it has not moved from its expected position. Follow the checking method taught by the hospital or healthcare team. If there is any concern that the NGT may have moved, do not continue feeding, flushing or giving medication until its position has been properly assessed.

Feeding should not be rushed. If the patient develops significant bloating, nausea, vomiting or other discomfort during feeding, stop and follow the advice provided by the healthcare team.

Flushing the NGT and Giving Medication

Regular flushing helps reduce the risk of the tube becoming blocked by feed or medication.

The amount and type of water used should follow the patient’s feeding plan and instructions from the healthcare team. Flushing is commonly required around feeding and medication administration, depending on the individual care plan.

Medication also needs to be handled carefully. Not all medicines can be crushed, opened or given through an NGT. For example, some enteric-coated or modified-release medicines need special consideration.

Medicines should not simply be mixed together with the feed. If several medications are prescribed, they may need to be given separately, with flushing between them as instructed by the doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Daily NGT Care: Securing the Tube, Nose and Mouth

Because an NGT remains secured around the nose and face, the surrounding skin should be checked every day. Look for:

• - Loose or lifting tape
• - Redness, pain or skin breakdown around the nostril
• - Pulling or tension on the tube
• - Dry mouth, retained secretions or other oral discomfort

Oral care remains important even when most nutrition is given through the NGT. A person who is not eating by mouth can still develop plaque, dryness and secretion build-up, so the mouth, teeth and tongue should continue to be cleaned regularly.

What If the NGT Becomes Blocked, Loose or Comes Out?

These are some of the more common problems that can occur with an NGT at home.

If the tube becomes blocked:
Prevention is important, which is why flushing after feeding and medication should be carried out as instructed. If the tube appears to be blocked, do not try to clear it with a sharp object or force fluid through under pressure.

If the securing tape becomes loose:
Try to prevent the tube from moving further. If the visible length of the tube has changed, or there is any doubt about its position, stop using it and arrange for assessment.

If the tube comes out completely:
Do not reinsert it unless you have been specifically trained and authorised to do so. NGT insertion and replacement should be carried out by appropriately trained healthcare professionals.

There is also no single replacement interval that applies to every nasogastric tube. The timing depends on the type of tube, manufacturer guidance, how it is being used and the care plan set by the healthcare team.

Home Nursing Support for NGT Care

For families managing an NGT at home for the first time, the challenge is usually not one individual feeding. It is learning how to manage feeding, flushing, medication, tube position and daily care consistently, and knowing what to do when something changes.

Home nursing support may be helpful if the family is not confident with these procedures, or if the patient also has other needs such as wound care, secretion management, catheters or ongoing health monitoring.

YDCare can provide NGT care, feeding and flushing guidance, caregiver training, health monitoring and related home nursing support, helping patients and families manage nasogastric tube care more safely after discharge.

Read more:

Catheter Care at Home: Five Key Tips to Prevent Infection

PICC Line Care at Home: Five Key Points Families Often Overlook