An NG tube is used to administer nutrition, hydration, and medication – it is a way to get substances into the stomach when it isn’t possible or advisable for someone to swallow them by mouth. It can also be used to supplement oral intake when people are having trouble meeting their nutritional needs.
An NG tube can also be used to drain or empty the stomach, which may be needed when someone has swallowed something toxic or because they have some disorder that requires stomach emptying, such as a bowel obstruction.