Medication Administration through NG or G-Tube

Flashcards covering the essential steps and considerations for medication administration through NG or G-Tubes, including initial assessments, placement verification, medication preparation, administration techniques, and post-administration care.

Before medication administration, crucial information to review includes the chart, orders, MAR, pertinent medication details like action and purpose, __, and nursing implications.

normal dose and route, side effects, time of onset and peak action, indication

Always assess for any patient allergies or __ before administering medications.

contraindications

When possible, use __ medication instead of crushed tablets for NG or G-tube administration.

liquid

Before giving medications, listen to __ and determine if they are normoactive, hypoactive, or hyperactive.

bowel sounds

Subjective information from the patient related to the GI system includes nausea, abdominal discomfort, abdominal distention, __, and constipation.

diarrhea

Before administering enteral medications, __ of the feeding tube must be verified according to agency policy.

placement

When checking tube placement by pH, a pH reading __ indicates positioning in the stomach.

less than 5

If the feeding tube is hooked to suction, turn off suction for __ minutes or per agency policy before checking placement and administering meds.

five

To prepare for medication administration through an NG or G-tube, elevate the HOB to __ degrees.

30-45

The most accurate way to verify placement of an NG tube is by a __.

chest x-ray

To check for gastric residual volume, draw up 10 mL of __ into the syringe and gently push it into the feeding tube.

air

If gastric contents exceed the recommended amount (e.g., 250-500 mL), __ tube feedings for 2 hours, recheck, and contact the provider if still excessive.

hold

Gastric contents are returned to the patient to maintain balanced __ and pH.

electrolytes

The Seven Rights of Medication Administration include right patient, right drug, right dose, right time, right route, right indication, and __.

right documentation

If liquid medications are not available, prepare medications for instillation by crushing pills __ into a fine powder.

one at a time

Crushed tablets should be dissolved separately in __ mL of warm water in a medication cup.

15 – 30

It is important to be aware of liquid intake to record from medications and __ given during administration.

water

Before administering the first medication, irrigate the tubing by flushing with __ mL of water.

30

After initial irrigation, remove the plunger from the syringe and place it back into the NG tube, allowing the liquid dose to flow by __.

gravity

After each medication dose, flush the tubing with __ mL of water.

15

If medication does not flow freely, you can try raising the height of the syringe to increase flow rate or have the patient __.

change position

After the last dose of medication, flush with an additional __ mL of water and clamp the tubing.

30 to 60

Allow __ minutes before resuming suction or tube feedings after medication administration.

30 – 60

After medications are given, keep the HOB elevated for __ minutes.

about 30 to 60

The 'L's' in the ending steps checklist stand for Bed Low, Wheels Locked, and __.

Call-Light