Nursing Care G Tube

A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube is a plastic tube that is put into your stomach through your skin. PEG tubes are most often used to give you food or liquids if you are not able to eat or drink. Medical formula, medicines, and water can be given through a PEG tube.

How do I use the PEG tube?

Your healthcare provider will tell you when and how often to use your PEG tube for feedings. You may need a bolus, intermittent, or continuous feeding. A bolus feeding is when formula is give over a short period of time. An intermittent feeding is scheduled for certain times throughout the day. Continuous feedings run all the time. Ask your healthcare provider which method is best for you:

Use a feeding syringe. Connect the feeding syringe to the end of the PEG tube. Pour the correct amount of formula into the syringe. Hold the syringe up high. Formula will flow into the PEG tube. The syringe plunger may be used to gently push the last of the formula through the PEG tube.

Use a gravity drip bag. Connect the tubing from the gravity drip bag to the end of the PEG tube. Pour the formula into a gravity drip bag. Hang the bag on a medical pole, a hanger, or other device. Adjust the flow rate on the tubing according to your healthcare provider's instructions. Formula will flow into the PEG tube. Ask how long it should take to complete your feeding.

Use a feeding pump. You may use an electric pump to control the flow of the formula into your PEG tube. Your healthcare provider will teach you how to set up and use the pump.

How do I care for my PEG tube?

Always flush your PEG tube before and after each use. This helps prevent blockage from formula or medicine. Use at least 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of water to flush the tube. Follow directions for flushing your PEG tube.

If your PEG tube becomes clogged, try to unclog it as soon as you can. Flush your PEG tube with a 60 milliliter (mL) syringe filled with warm water. Never use a wire to unclog the tube. A wire can poke a hole in the tube. Your healthcare provider may have you use a special medicine or a plastic brush to help unclog your tube.

Check the PEG tube daily.

Check the length of the tube from the end to where it goes into your body. If it gets longer, it may be at risk for coming out. If it gets shorter, let your healthcare provider know right away.

Check the bumper (piece that goes around the tube, next to your skin). It should be snug against your skin. Tell your healthcare provider if the bumper seems too tight or too loose.

Use an alcohol pad to clean the end of your PEG tube. Do this before you connect tubing or a syringe to your PEG tube and after you remove it. When you disconnect tubing or a syringe from your PEG tube, do not let the end of the PEG tube touch anything.

The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit membership organization. The stated purpose of AWHONN is to promote the health of women and newborns.
AWHONN was created in 1969 . At that time, it was called the Nurses Association of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists...

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