Tube Feedings
Tube Feedings
In septic or critically-ill clients, the best nutrition is to give tube feedings. TPN has greater risk for infection. Again, enteral feedings maintain gut integrity and help prevent stress ulcers in clients during sepsis and respiratory failure. Enteral feedings have lower infection complications as compared to TPN
No bowel sounds
No tube feeds
Return residuals
To prevent electrolyte imbalances
Hold
If residual > 100 ml
Semi-fowlers
To prevent aspiration
- Return residuals to prevent electrolyte imbalances and metabolic alkalosis
- Hold tube feeds if residuals > 100 mL.
- Return what you aspirate. It has gastric juices necessary for digestion, plus client will become more alkalinic. Also, think of electrolyte imbalances
- Flush NG tube with 30-50 ml NS before and after meds.
- Check NG tube placement prior to feeding/meds. Confirm with gastric pH <4.
- Clamp tube x 30 minutes after meds to increase medication absorption.
