a. Observe frequently the color and amount of drainage.

Report any changes immediately to the professional nurse. Cloudy, pale-yellowish drainage is characteristic when the tube is in the stomach; bile-colored (greenish) drainage is characteristic when the tube is in the duodenum. In gastrointestinal drainage, blood varies in color–it may be dark red when fresh, dark brownish-red or in brown particles (“coffee ground drainage”) if it has been partially digested. Fecal odor of the drainage is noticeable in intestinal obstruction. Note your observations in the patient’s nurse’s notes.

b. Measure the contents and empty the drainage bottle at the hours ordered by the physician, when the drainage bottle is two-thirds full or when suction is discontinued.

c. Procedure for emptying the drainage bottle.

(1) Clamp the nasogastric tube. Remove stopper of drainage bottle. Place stopper in emesis basin. Take bottle to utility room.

(2) Measure and record amount of drainage. Dispose of measured drainage by flushing into hopper or toilet.

(3) Rinse the bottle with cold water. Wash thoroughly with prescribed detergent solution. Rinse and drain.

(4) Reconnect clean bottle, replacing the stopper securely. Release clamp. Observe for effective renewal of suction drainage.