This section includes guidelines on how to administer a tube feeding, as well as information on feeding schedules, providing additional water, and administering medications. Please be sure to check with your healthcare team for specific step-by-step instructions.
TUBE FEEDING WITH A SYRINGE (BOLUS) Before starting, follow your healthcare professional’s instructions to check the position of your tube before you begin a feeding.
Supplies
Preparation
Administration
Supplies
Preparation
Administration
Supplies
Preparation
Administration
In order to provide the nutrition you need, your healthcare professional will provide guidelines to help develop schedules for intermittent or bolus tube-feeding and water flushes, including information such as:
In order to provide the nutrition you need, your healthcare professional will give you a schedule for continuous tube-feeding and water flushes, including information such as:
Medications may be needed to keep your body healthy. The following provides directions for administering medication through your feeding tube. Follow your healthcare professional’s instructions for taking your medication. Use liquid medications whenever possible. If using pills, crush medications into a very fine powder and dissolve in water. Check with your nurse, doctor, or pharmacist to get specific instructions on:
Even though your tube feeding formula contains water, extra water may be required for proper hydration and to prevent clogging of your feeding tube. Follow your healthcare professional’s instructions for flushing your feeding tube before and after medications and feedings. Instructions
It is important to store formula properly. Formula is like food and can cause illness if it is not handled or stored properly.
Home tube feeding presents a new set of procedures and responsibilities for you and your family. It is only natural to have questions, or to need some help, once you are home. Your healthcare professional can help you answer questions such as:
Contact your healthcare team if you have any questions about any part of your home tube feeding plan, including how you are tolerating your tube feeding, if you are having any problems, or if you have questions about your formula. Your healthcare team is there for you, to make sure that your home tube feeding experience is as comfortable and problem-free as possible. When to Contact your Healthcare Provider: If you are having problems with how your feeding tube is working, or if there is a change in your health (like a fever or diarrhea) that has you worried, contact your health care provider. Some of these potential problems are: Problems with the Feeding Tube:
Changes that may signal an infection, feeding intolerance, or other health problem:
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