From the Guidelines
The error in the equipment prepared for gastric sounding is the inclusion of a large intestinal tube instead of a gastric tube, which is the most critical mistake that can lead to patient harm and inaccurate results. For proper gastric sounding, a nasogastric tube or gastric tube should be used, as it is specifically designed to access the stomach 1. The large intestinal tube is inappropriate for this procedure as it is designed for the lower gastrointestinal tract and has different dimensions and characteristics that make it unsuitable for insertion through the nose or mouth into the stomach.
The correct equipment for gastric sounding should include:
- A proper gastric tube (such as a Levin tube or Salem sump tube)
- Glasses for storing gastric juice samples
- A kidney tray for collection
- Tweezers for handling
- The 0.1% histamine solution which is used to stimulate gastric acid secretion during the procedure
Using the correct tube is essential for patient safety, comfort, and to obtain accurate gastric samples. According to the guidelines for enteral feeding in adult hospital patients, fine bore (5–8 French gauge) nasogastric (NG) tubes should be used for enteral feeding unless there is a need for repeated gastric aspiration or administration of high viscosity feeds/drugs via the tube 1.
In addition, the position of a nasogastric tube should be confirmed by radiography to ensure proper placement before use, as bedside auscultation can be misleading 1. Therefore, it is crucial to use the correct equipment and follow proper procedures to ensure patient safety and accurate results. The use of a large intestinal tube for gastric sounding is a significant error that can lead to serious consequences, and it should be avoided at all costs.
From the Research
Equipment for Gastric Sounding
The nurse has prepared the following equipment for gastric sounding:
- Glasses for storing individual portions of gastric juice
- Large intestinal tube
- Kidney tray
- Tweezers
- 0.1% histamine solution
Error in Equipment
The error in the equipment prepared by the nurse is:
- Large intestinal tube: this is not typically used for gastric sounding, a nasogastric tube is usually used instead 2, 3
- 0.1% histamine solution: this is not a standard equipment for gastric sounding, and its use is not clearly related to the procedure 2, 3
- Tweezers: these are not typically used for gastric sounding, and their use is not clearly related to the procedure 2, 3
- Kidney tray: this is not typically used for gastric sounding, a tray or container for storing gastric juice is usually used instead 4, 5
Relevant Studies
Studies have shown that improper placement of nasogastric tubes can lead to significant morbidity 2, 3, and that ultrasonography can be used to detect correct nasogastric tube placement 6. However, these studies do not provide direct evidence for the error in equipment prepared by the nurse.