Tube Feeding and Enteral Care Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the care, documentation, complications, and medication administration procedures for NG, PEG, and PEJ feeding tubes.

NG tube skin care

Checking for skin breakdown, cleaning with warm water, and applying a water-soluble lubricant to the nose area.

Peristomal skin

The skin around a PEG or PEJ tube that can be irritated by gastric juices and tension from the bumper.

Documentation requirements

Includes evaluation of cl position, tube placement, tolerance, feeding details (type, amount, rate, duration), water administered, and I&O.

Diarrhea (feeding-related)

A common problem caused by rapid infusion, contaminated feedings, medications, food allergies, cold formula, or hypertonic formula.

Open system hang time

Formula should not be hung for more than $4\,h$ (or $8\,h$) to prevent bacterial contamination and diarrhea.

Abdominal distension

A sign of feeding intolerance measured at the umbilicus; may be caused by air, rapid rate, large volume, or cold formula.

Dumping syndrome

A condition occurring 10-30 minutes after feeding starts where hypertonic feeding moves into the small intestine too quickly, drawing water from the blood.

Dumping syndrome symptoms

Sudden distension, cramps, N&V, diarrhea, dehydration, increased HR, and decreased BP causing faintness.

Hypokalemia

A loss of potassium where levels are less than $3.5\,mmol/L$; symptoms include muscle aches, weakness, leg cramps, dysrhythmias, and palpitations.

Dumping syndrome prevention

Introducing concentrated feedings with a slow, continuous drip and minimizing water flush volumes.

Constipation/Fecal impaction

Potential problems caused by lack of fiber in liquid feedings, inadequate fluid intake, or opioid use.

Tube obstruction prevention

Flushing the tube before and after interventions and rolling the tube between the thumb and forefinger if a blockage is suspected.

Tube unclogging strategies

Flushing with warm water in a back-and-forth motion or using a physician-prescribed pancreatic enzyme solution.

Acidic unclogging agents (Problem)

Carbonated beverages or cranberry juice may cause the protein in the formula to produce a precipitate, resulting in more blockages.

Hyperglycemia

Elevated blood sugar that may occur due to the high carbohydrate and glucose content of many feeding formulas.

Medication administration flushes

Administering $10\,mL$ of water after each individual medication and $30\,mL$ of water after all medications are finished.

Enteric-coated and Timed-release tablets

Specific medication forms that must not be crushed for delivery via feeding tube.

Buccal and Sublingual medications

Medication types that are not suitable for delivery via feeding tube and require an alternate form to be prescribed.