How is a nasogastric (NG) tube placed?
An NG tube is lubricated so it slides more easily. Then it's placed through the nose, down the throat and the esophagus, and into the stomach. The esophagus connects the throat to the stomach. The person is asked to swallow, if able, to help the tube go down and get into the right place.
When an NG tube is inserted, the person may have an X-ray taken to see if the tube is in the right place. Getting an NG tube usually isn't painful, but it may feel uncomfortable.
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