The nurse is caring for a client with a feeding tube that has become obstructed. Which intervention should the nurse implement first to unclog the tube?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Enteral feeding tubes are more likely to become obstructed if the tube is not flushed frequently enough, medications are not adequately crushed or diluted before administration, a thick feeding formula is used, or a small-bore feeding tube is required. Interventions to unclog a feeding tube are more successful if they are initiated immediately. The nurse should first attempt to dislodge the clogged contents by using a large-barrel syringe to flush and aspirate warm water in a back-and-forth motion through the tube (Option A). (Option B) If a feeding tube cannot be unclogged with warm water, the nurse may then attempt to use a digestive enzyme solution. These commercial declogging kits contain prefilled syringes of enzymatic solution that must be added to the tube and dwell in it for a period of time (usually 30 minutes to 1 hour) before flushing and aspiration are attempted. (Option C) Instilling a carbonated beverage (eg, dark cola) or cranberry juice into a clogged feeding tube is not appropriate. The acidity of either liquid can worsen an obstruction, and the dark color may mask gastrointestinal bleeding. (Option D) Flushing a feeding tube with a small-barrel syringe can create too much pressure and rupture the tube. Educational objective: When a feeding tube becomes clogged, the nurse should first attempt to unclog the tube by using a large-barrel syringe to flush and aspirate warm water in a back-and-forth motion through the tube. A digestive enzyme solution may help if warm water flushing is not effective.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Client with a Feeding