What finding in the drainage from a nasogastric tube requires notifying the health care provider?

Dark red drainage from a nasogastric tube is concerning and warrants immediate notification of the health care provider because it may indicate the presence of fresh blood in the gastric contents. This could signal an upper gastrointestinal bleed, which can be caused by a variety of serious conditions such as gastric ulcers, esophageal varices, or other vascular lesions. In such cases, immediate medical assessment and intervention are critical to address potential bleeding and prevent complications.

In contrast, dark brown drainage could indicate old blood or the presence of digested material, while green-tinged drainage may be due to bile or other non-acute gastrointestinal contents. Light yellowish-brown drainage can suggest normal gastric secretions or bile, posing no immediate danger. Therefore, dark red drainage stands out as a critical finding necessitating prompt attention.