Enteral Feeding and Tube Management Flashcards

Vocabulary and procedural concepts related to nasogastric tube placement validation, feeding administration, and patient safety protocols.

Whoosh test

An unreliable method of checking tube placement by injecting $10$–$30\,mL$ of air and auscultating the left upper quadrant for a gurgling sound; it is unreliable because gurgling can still be heard if the tube is in the esophagus or lungs.

Continuous feeding validation interval

According to hospital policy, tube placement for continuously fed patients should be checked at least once every $6$ hours.

Gastric residual volume (GRV)

The amount of feeding currently in the stomach, measured by withdrawing all contents with a $60\,mL$ syringe to evaluate the client's tolerance and absorption of the previous feeding.

Reinstillation

The nursing action of returning aspirated gastric contents back into the stomach after measuring volume to prevent disrupting the client's electrolyte balance.

NG tube collapse

An occurrence where small-bore nasogastric tubes may flatten during an attempt to check gastric residual volume (GRV), resulting in a falsely low measurement.

Hydration management

The process of monitoring intake and output, assessing for dehydration, and providing tap water (or sterile water if infection risk exists) via syringe as ordered by a doctor or dietician.

Open-system preparation

A procedure involving wiping the formula container with alcohol, hanging the bag on an IV pole, priming the tubing, and labeling the bag with type, strength, rate, date, time, and initials.

Required tube feeding head elevation

The client should be in High Fowler's or have the head of the bed at a minimum of $30$ degrees, though $45$ degrees is preferable to prevent reflux and aspiration.

Tube patency flush

The act of flushing the tubing with approximately $30\,mL$ of water before beginning a feeding to ensure the tube is not blocked.

Post-feeding positioning duration

The requirement for a patient to remain in Fowler's position for at least $60$ minutes after feeding is finished to facilitate digestion and prevent aspiration.

Respiratory distress during feeding

A sign that tube placement must be validated immediately or that aspiration of stomach contents into the respiratory tract may have occurred.

Aspiration nursing actions

Immediate steps including stopping the feeding, confirming the tube mark, measuring GI pH, positioning the client on their side, suctioning, and consulting a doctor for a chest x-ray.