Question

List concerns and potential complications in administering tube feedings and medications via an enteral feeding tube.

Prioritize your concerns and develop four strategies to prevent complications.

Answer 1

The various complications in administering tube feedings are:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Malabsorption/maldigestion

Mechanical complications are:

• Aspirations
• Tube malposition
• Tube clogging

Other mechanical complications includes:

• Hypoglycemia
• Hyponatremia
• Hypernatremia
• Dehydration
• Hyperglycemia
• Hpo/hyper kalemia.

Strategies to prevent these complications include:

• Check the position and correct placement of the tube before each feeding.
• Proper flushing of the tube before and after the feed to prevent clogging.
• Placing client in upright position while feeding to prevent aspirations.
• Monitoring the elctrolytes and glucose levels to reduce the risk of imbalances by suppliment them timely.