Enteral Feedings

Question 1

Intermittent vs Enteral Feedings

Answer 1

• Intermittent feedings: 300 - 500 mL of formula several times a day
• continuous feedings: administration of formula over 24 hours set at a rate on feeding pump
  
  • bag must be changed every 24 hours
  • feeding at room temperature

Question 2

How to administer enteral feedings

Answer 2

1. raise head of bed to 30 degrees or semi-fowler’s (remain in this position for at least 2 hours after feeding is done)
2. assess bowel sounds
3. check for food allergies and formula expiration date
4. hand hygiene
5. check placement of tube (xray)
6. Check for residual for each feeding (if residual is more than the volume of previous feeding or provider’s identified volume, hold feeding and follow guideline’s orders)
7. aspirate stomach residual and observe volume with syringe
8. return aspirate residual to stomach to prevent loss of electrolytes

Question 3

Dumping Syndrome

Answer 3

• rapid emptying of stomach contents to small intestines
• rapid rate of enteral tube feeding is a potential cause of dumping syndrome
• eat smaller meals or slow infusion rate are helpful

Question 4

Flush

Answer 4

• Flush tubing with at least 40 to 50 mL of water following each feeding to maintain tube patency (or every 4 hours)
  -If tube stops infusing, flush with 30 to 50 mL of warm water to re-establish flow and remove the clog
• Flush with 15 to 60 mL of water after each medication to prevent tube from clogging

Question 5

Loose stools or diarrhea with continuous tube feedings

Answer 5

• decrease the rate of the feeding

Question 6

Displacement of NG tube manifestations

Answer 6

• aspiration and vomiting