Q: Beside listening with stethoscope at abdomen and obtaining CXR after insertion of Naso-Gastric tube (NG-tube), what could be another quick bedside method to confirm proper NG-tube placement in stomach?

Answer:   Aspirate some fluid from the NG tube with a syringe. Test this fluid with pH paper to determine the acidity of the fluid. If the pH is 4 or below then the tube is most likely in the stomach. pH paper is different from blue litmus paper and is called universal pH paper or strip. It is advised to avoid blue litmus paper.

Since no pulmonary aspirates have been reported below pH of 5.99, a pH value of 5.5 or below will exclude 100 per cent of pulmonary placements.