Giving the medicine
- Clamp the tube.
- Attach the flushing syringe to the end of the feeding tube or the extension tubing. ...
- Unclamp the tube.
- Flush the tube with water. ...
- Draw up medicine into a clean syringe.
- Give the medicine using the attached syringe. ...
- If you are giving more than 1 medicine, give each medicine by itself.
How to clean a syringe and plunger?
Wash the syringe and plunger in warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Air dry and store in a clean covered container.
What is a feeding tube?
The feeding tube is sometimes used to administer to those patients who have difficulty swallowing. Medications may be prescribed in liquid form to go through the tube easily. Some medications may only be available in pill form and need to be crushed small enough to go through the tube without clogging it.
How to tell if stomach fluid is in tubing?
o Within a few seconds you should be able to see stomach fluid (it will be yellow-green) enter the tubing. If you can’t remove any fluid, help the patient move and turn a little. Try again to draw up some fluid.
How to dissolve a pill?
Crush pills and dissolve them in 1⁄2 cup room temperature water or pour the prescribed amount of liquid medicine into a small cup.
How to put back in a stomach?
o Always put back in anything you draw out of the stomach by pushing in the plunger. If you do not see stomach fluid, do not continue and call your nurse.
How to confirm gastrostomy tube placement?
Correct placement of the tube should be confirmed prior to administration of an enteral feed by checking insertion site at the abdominal wall and observing the child for abdominal pain or discomfort. If the nurse is unsure regarding the position of the gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube contact the medical team immediately.
What is enteral feeding?
Enteral feeding is a method of supplying nutrients directly into the gastrointestinal tract. This guideline will use this term describe Orogastric, Nasogastric and Gastrostomy tube feeding. A wide range of children may require enteral feeding either for a short or long period of time for a variety of reasons including:
What is the intended route for a medication before administration?
Confirm that the enteral feeding tube is the intended route for a medication before administration.
Why do you need to dilution with viscous liquid?
Viscous liquid medications may require dilution to prevent clogging of the enteral tube.
Why flush a tube?
The purpose of flushing is to check for tube patency and prevent clogging of enteral tubes. Flushing is not routine on the Neonatal unit and flushing with air is the preferred method. Enteral feeding tubes should be flushed regularly with water (or sterile water if appropriate): Prior to and after feeding.
How much gastric content should be in an aspirate?
Aspirate minimum 0.5 - 1ml of gastric content (or sufficient amount to enable pH testing). Consider the “dead space” in the tubing.
What is the tube that passes through the mouth?
Orogastric Tube (OGT) - Thin soft tube passed through a child’s mouth, through the oropharynx, through the oesophagus and into the stomach