Gastric residual volume (GRV) is the amount of fluid and food remaining in the stomach after a period of fasting. Checking GRV is a common procedure in healthcare settings, particularly before administering certain medications or procedures, such as surgery. Measuring GRV helps to assess the adequacy of gastric emptying and can help to prevent complications such as aspiration pneumonia.
There are several methods for checking GRV, including the nasogastric tube method, the non-invasive bedside ultrasound method, and the wireless capsule method. The nasogastric tube method is the most commonly used method and involves passing a thin tube through the nose and into the stomach. The non-invasive bedside ultrasound method uses ultrasound waves to measure the volume of fluid in the stomach. The wireless capsule method involves swallowing a small capsule that transmits data on the volume of fluid in the stomach to a receiver worn by the patient.