what is ngt

NGT stands for Nasogastric Tube, which is a thin, flexible plastic tube that is inserted through the nose into the stomach for temporary medical purposes. It is used to deliver special nutrition, as well as medication, directly to the stomach. NG tubes are used for short periods of time, usually a few weeks to months, and are used when a person cannot eat and drink enough to stay healthy. This may happen when a person has trouble swallowing, has a digestive problem or inflammation of the digestive tract, or needs extra calories. The placement of the NG tube is usually checked using a chest X-ray, which is the most accurate way to check the initial placement. Inserting the tube into the wrong place is a risk of NG tube placement, and its important to be sure the end of the tube reaches into the stomach.