Administering Medication Through Tubes Module F Nasogastric or

Administering Medication Through Tubes Module F

Nasogastric or Gastrostomy Tube ¢ ¢ Always begin by washing your hands and maintain Standard Precautions Gloves should be worn Position the patient in a semi-Fowler's or Fowler's position and leave the head of the bed elevated for at least 30 minutes afterward to reduce the risk of aspiration Assess whether fluid restriction or fluid overload is a concern. It will be necessary to give water along with the medications to flush the tubing.

Nasogastric or Gastrostomy Tube ¢ ¢ ¢ Check to see if the drug should be given on an empty or full stomach. If the drug should be given on an empty stomach, and pt is on feedings the feeding need to be stopped 1 -2 hrs before medication is given. Follow the guidelines for the specific drug if this is necessary Whenever possible, give liquid forms of drugs to prevent clogging the tube

Nasogastric or Gastrostomy Tube ¢ Be sure to check whether the medication should be crushed; l Enteric-coated and sustained-release tablets or capsules should not be crushed. l Crush the tablets individually into a fine powder. Administer the drugs separately Keeping the drugs separate allows for accurate identification if a dose is spilled. l

Nasogastric or Gastrostomy Tube ¢ Before administering the drugs, follow the institution's policy for verifying tube placement and checking gastric residual. l Reinstill gastric residual per institutional policy, then clamp the tube

Nasogastric or Gastrostomy Tube Dilute a crushed tablet or liquid medication in 15 to 30 m. L of warm water. ¢ Some capsules may be opened and dissolved in 30 m. L of warm water; check with a pharmacist. ¢

Nasogastric or Gastrostomy Tube ¢ ¢ Remove the plunger from an adaptable-tip syringe and attach it to the end of the tube. Unclamp the tube and pinch the tubing to close it again. Add 30 m. L of warm water and release the pinched tubing. Allow the water to flow in by gravity to flush the tube, and then pinch the tubing closed again before all the water is gone to prevent excessive air from entering the stomach

Nasogastric or Gastrostomy Tube ¢ ¢ Pour the diluted medication into the syringe and release the tubing to allow it to flow in by gravity. Flush between each drug with 10 -20 m. L of warm water. Be careful not to spill the medication mixture. Adjust fluid amounts if fluid restrictions are ordered, but sufficient fluid must be used to dilute the medications and to flush the tubing.

Nasogastric or Gastrostomy Tube If water or medication does not flow freely, you may apply gentle pressure with the plunger of the syringe or the bulb of an Asepto syringe. ¢ Do not try to force the medicine through the tubing. ¢

Nasogastric or Gastrostomy Tube After the last drug dose, flush the tubing with 50 m. L of warm water, then clamp the tube for at least 30 minutes before reattaching suction. ¢ Resume the tube feeding 1 -2 hrs after meds are given. ¢ Have the patient remain in a high Fowler's or slightly elevated right-sidelying position to reduce the risk of aspiration ¢

Nasogastric or Gastrostomy Tube ¢ Document l Medications given on the MAR l The amount of fluid given on the patient's intake and output record l The patient's response.

Vaginal Irrigation

Vaginal Irrigation Mechanical cleansing of the vaginal tract and the cervix ¢ To help remove any foul odor that may be present ¢ To cleanse and irrigate the cervix after cauterization ~and at the same time to reduce the swelling and promote healing ¢ Pre-operative procedure on most patients having the type of gynecologic surgery ¢

Bladder Irrigation

Bladder Irrigation To maintain the patency of a urinary catheter & tubing (continuous irrigation) ¢ To free a blockage in a urinary catheter or tubing (intermittent irrigation) ¢ To instill medication into the bladder ¢ To check infection and relieve pain in cystitis. ¢