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Pass the NCLEX Exam, GuaranteedYour entire career may be on the line. Don't risk wasting time and money on a repeat exam if you fail. With NCLEX Premium, you'll walk out of the testing center feeling like you just took a first grade spelling test. Learn more About Tube FeedingIf you cannot eat sufficient quantities of food to meet nutritional needs, then feeding can be given through a tube into the stomach or small bowel to provide adequate nutrients. There are a variety of tube feeding formulas on the market which are designed to meet 100% of your nutritional needs. The feedings may be given continuously over several hours, around the clock at a specific rate, and delivered by a special pump or several times a day in measured amounts. Adequate nutrition depends on the right type and amount of formula. Your healthcare provider will prescribe your feeding schedule, formula and amount of water needed for optimal nutrition and hydration. After a brain or spinal cord injury, the metabolic rate may be increased and energy and protein needs may be high to provide nutrients for healing. Muscle atrophy is also common because of decreased mobility during this time. Calorie and protein needs tend to decrease a few months after injury, so tube feedings may need to be adjusted to avoid unwanted weight gain. It is important to monitor your body weight and know your weight goals. If you have significant weight changes (gain or loss of more than 2 lbs in 1 week) or if you are cleared to eat by a Speech Language Pathologist, contact your doctor, home health company, or registered dietitian for a tube feeding adjustment. Types of Feeding Tubes
You may see an adapter such as the Dale Ace connector Tube Feeding Preparation
Supplies to Gather:
Positions for receiving tube feedings:
How to check gastric residual (PEG feedings only):"Residual" refers to fluid/contents that remain in the stomach. Only those fed through a PEG tube should have a residual.
Note: If using a PEG, it is important to check tube feeding residuals every 4 hours while receiving continuous feedings and right before bolus feedings. Cleaning the Tube Site and Equipment
Mouth Care:
Troubleshooting Feeding TubesRecognition:
Causes:
Prevention:
What do I do when I have a clogged tube?
Recognition:
Causes: 1. Mechanical problem
2. GI problems
3. Side effect of medication or other treatments 4. Problem with formula
5. Offensive odors, sight and smell of food Prevention:
Immediate Action:
Recognition:
Causes:
Prevention:
Immediate Action:
Recognition:
Causes:
Prevention:
Immediate Action:
Recognition:
Causes:
Prevention:
Immediate Action:
Call your physician if any of the following occurs:
What is the best position to place a client receiving a tube feeding to prevent aspiration?Certain interventions can reduce a patient's risk of aspiration, and the most important of these are proper tube placement and correct patient positioning (that is, with the head of bed elevated to 30 to 45 degrees).
What position is best for tube feeding?Position: Lying prone/supine during feeding increases the risk of aspiration and therefore where clinically possible the child should be placed in an upright position.
How do you prevent reduce the risk of aspiration when giving tube feedings?Follow these guidelines to prevent aspiration if you're tube feeding:. Sit up straight when tube feeding, if you can.. If you're getting your tube feeding in bed, use a wedge pillow to lift yourself up. ... . Stay in an upright position (at least 45 degrees) for at least 1 hour after you finish your tube feeding (see Figure 1).. What is the most effective way of preventing aspiration?BEST PRACTICES: PREVENTION
The primary methods used to prevent aspiration during oral intake in dysphagic stroke patients include texture modification of food/liquids and positional swallowing maneuvers, such as chin-tuck or head rotation (Smithard, 2016).
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