What is the proper placement for a nasogastric tube?

The proper placement for a nasogastric tube is in the stomach, specifically 2-5 cm below the diaphragm. This positioning is crucial for ensuring that the tube functions effectively for its intended purposes, which can include feeding, administering medications, or decompressing the stomach.

When the tube is situated at this depth, it allows for adequate access to the stomach's contents and enables safe delivery of nutrition or medications without risking aspiration into the lungs. The diaphragm serves as a landmark indicating the upper limit of the stomach, ensuring that the tube is properly positioned to avoid complications.

Placement in the esophagus would not provide the necessary access to the stomach and would risk damaging the esophageal lining or leading to aspiration. Insertion into the duodenum or further along into the small intestine is typically reserved for specially-designed enteral feeding tubes, such as a jejunostomy tube, and is not the goal for a standard nasogastric tube. Thus, the correct placement of a nasogastric tube is essential for both functionality and patient safety.