How to feed someone through a feeding tube?

Feeding someone through a feeding tube can be intimidating, but fear not! With the right instructions and proper precautions, anyone can do it. Whether you are taking care of an elderly relative or looking after a sick friend, this guide will show you how to successfully administer nutrition via intragastric feeding tubes.

Understanding Feeding Tubes

Before diving into the process of administering nutrition through a feeding tube, let’s go over some basics.

What is a Feeding Tube?

A feeding tube is basically what its name suggests – a tube that we use to provide nutrients directly into our stomachs. It’s usually recommended when oral intake is impossible or ineffective in meeting an individual’s nutritional requirements.

Types of Feeding Tubes

There are different types of tubes available depending on the nutritional goals and individual medical conditions:
– Nasogastric/nasoenteral (NG/NJ) tubes: These are slender plastic or rubber hoses that pass down your nose, throat and esophagus until they end up in your stomach.
– Gastrostomy/Jejunostomy (G/J) tubes: These enter the body surgically either in the stomach itself (gastrostomy) or beyond it (jejunostomy).
– Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomies (PEG): This involves placing an eating peg straightaway into your tummy using keyhole surgery.(1)

Make sure that you have knowledge about which type suits best for whom based on their condition.

Feeding Someone Through A Tube

Now that we understand what goes around with post-tube placement procedure let’s now move ahead with ‘how-to’.

Things That You Need

First things first; make sure you have all necessary equipment. Here’s list of essential tools:
– Prepackaged formula package as per requirement
– Syringes
– Enteral feeding bag
– Extension set with Clamp
– Water for flushing tube
– Bowl or pitcher

Setting Up the Tube Feeding Pump (Entire Story Here.)

Before initiating any procedure to feed through the tube you must ensure that your enteral feeding pump is cleaned and sterilized. Now check step by step Procedure as:

Step 1: Assembling all parts of the Pump

Assemble Bag, extension tubing clamp & syringe.

Step 2: Fill The Bag

Open the port on top of U-Bag to pour pre-packaged formula into it. Some helpful tips while pouring:

  • First, gather all things together.
  • Be careful while filling up new bags since its volume should not exceed more than four hours’ worth of feed per bag at one time.(Important!)
  • To prevent spilling against work surfaces use a drip tray under U-Bag when performed similarly.

Also make sure that while assembling everything there are no traces of dust or dirt anywhere be squeaky clean and hygienic in setting up this process.

Step 4 – Connecting The Syringe And Extension Set

Attach the syringes first via white part piece then connect them with an extension hose, run pinch clamps towards liquidity proof pattern, especially down below gravity site area so that patency gets ensured. Make controlled movement over outer fittings wall tension and action very accurately till everything connects well.

Troubleshooting Common Issues With Pumps

Sometimes pumps can run into issues here some common ones:
The pump is shut down: In such a situation stop giving anything right away because If any mechanical problem arises then It might cause serious harm.
Leaking around connector hub: Change out those parts which look damaged earlier before using appliances again.
Keep track of tubing connections to avoid kinking leading gas errors preventing comfortable flow throughout entire session period without malfunctioning occur repeatedly.

Feeding the Patient

Once you have successfully set up your feeding tube pump, you can now proceed with starting to feed through it. The formula should be at room temperature, and if it’s chilled then wait for a bit until they come down to room temperature quickly.

Please take care of some things while performing this procedure is:
Don’t let gravity control movement every aspect of the process because ultimately important force comes from pressure especially between 60-80mmHg when administered via NG/NJ or use enteral feeding bags inside pumps which are advantageous in monitoring flow rates.
Always keep cleanliness level high beginning right from wearing gloves upto washbasins used for washing hands cause infections may occur during administration without saying anything so beware! (Important!)

Lastly clean everything again fittingly after execution namely cleaning tubing/machine equipment properly along with personal hygiene eg putting on new gloves wiping surface areas free of debris while spreading soap or cleaner solution over sinks walls till satisfied everything appears hygienic enough!

Conclusion

Feeding someone requires taking more time and energy than most people expect but keep calm(Relax) since anyone can do it by following these simple steps thoroughly. Alongside critical points such as measurement maintenance, illness prevention mental wellbeing also equally as important component factors contributing overall physiological status toward eating pattern behavior change!
So don’t worry about helping those who need a little extra help – you’ve got this!

Random Posts