Nasogastric catheter insertion checklist and grading tool

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1 Perform Time out
Check patients name

2 Inform patient about procedure and encourage
cooperation; choose nasal passage that is most open

3 Verify all equipment is available for individual
placing nasogastric catheter
-appropriate nasogastric catheter
-lubricant jelly
-Toomey syringe
-tape
-stethoscope
-suction tube
For patient
-cup of water with straw
-towel
-emesis basin

4 Put on nonsterile gloves
5 Tightly coil nasogastric catheter around index finger
to give bend to catheter (optional); place nasogastric
catheter in cold water to stiffen end (optional)

6 Place patient in upright Fowlers position (Semi-
upright position with legs either bent or straight) If
mannequin is supine verbalize the appropriate position
in the awake pt.

7 Measure proper length of nasogastric catheter (from
stomach, around ear and out nose) and mark with tape
(or make a note of where that location is)

8 Coat the end of the nasogastric catheter with sufficient
lubricant jelly

9 With curve pointing downward insert the nasogastric
catheter gently along floor of nasal passage until you
and patient feel catheter at back of nasopharynx

10 Have patient put head/neck slightly forward to open
up nasopharynx; Have patient swallow small amounts
of water through straw; advance nasogastric catheter
2-3 in to desired length marked with tape (verbalize
this step in the mannequin)

11 Aspirate gastric contents with Toomey syringe; blow
air in Toomey syringe to hear gurgle in stomach

12 Secure nasogastric catheter in place to minimize
trauma to nose

13 Put adapter into appropriate end of nasogastric
catheter (not in air vent) and connect to suction tube
with intermittent or continuous suction

Total points (out of 12)



Indications: Gastrointestinal decompression, stomach lavage for gastric hemorrhage or drug overdose,
prevention of aspiration, feeding

Contraindications: massive midface injury, basilar skull fracture (relative), varices (relative)