Lab: Enteral Tubes

Module Objectives:  

Utilizing critical reasoning and the nursing process, the student is expected to:

• 1. List purposes of nasogastric and other enteral tubes

  2. Identify the supplies necessary for insertion, irrigation, and discontinuation of basic nasogastric tubes

  3. Identify the principles involved in maintaining gastric suction

  4. Discuss principles and concepts of care of the patient with an enteral tube

  5. Demonstrate steps involved in insertion, irrigation, and discontinuation of basic nasogastric tubes

  6. Describe the methods to check placement of an NGT and evaluate each for validity and reliability

  7. Identify the differences between Salem Sump tube, Dobhoff feeding tube, Percutaneous gastrostomy tube (PEG) and jejunostomy tube

  8. Demonstrate how to check for gastric residual

  9. Assemble equipment for and demonstrate the steps of administering enteral tube feedings:

a. Continuous feedings administered via a pump

b. Bolus feedings

• 10. Safely interrupt and reestablish a continuous enteral tube feeding

  11. Describe nursing measures to prevent common complications of enteral feedings

  12. Demonstrate how to flush a feeding tubing tube 

  13. State methods for preventing the clogging of a feeding tube

  14. Demonstrate the steps of administering medications via an enteral tube (per tube or PT)

Learning Activities: 

1. Review module objectives.

 2. Learning Resources:

Potter, P. A., Perry, A. G., Stockert, P. A., Hall, A. M., & Ostendorf, W. R. (2025). Fundamentals of nursing (12th ed.). Elsevier. 

Chapter 31 Medication Administration, pp. 653-654  Box 31.14 Procedural Guidelines: Administering Medications Through an Enteral Tube

Chapter 45 Nutrition, pp. 1208-1212. Start at Enteral Tube Feeding , Stop at Parenteral Nutrition 

pp. 1213 Table 45.7 Enteral Tube-Feeding Complications;  

pp. 1221-1232 SKILL 45.1, 45.2, and 45.3

Chapter 47 Bowel Elimination, pp. 1309-1310 Inserting and Maintaining a Nasogastric Tube,

pp. 1310 Table 47.3 Purposes of Nasogastric Intubation

pp. 1319-1326 SKILL 47.2 Insertion, maintenance, and removal of a nasogastric tube for gastric decompression

 3. Complete Critical Thinking Exercises:

  Enteral Tubes Student Learning Guide

 4. Supplemental Learning:

     See Bb

 5. Review module objectives and check for knowledge gaps.

 6. Go to the Evolve website and review the module content and practice questions.