Device
Related Concerns (Cont.)
24
Causes of Leakage:
• Incorrect device size
• Weight change
• Amount of water in balloon may be too
much or too little
• Tension at the stoma site
(from extension sets)
• Stomach may need to be decompressed
Preventing Tube Blockage:
Flush the G-J tube with 5 ml (10-20 ml for adults) warm water before and after administering food
or medication or every 6 hours for continuous feeding.
DO NOT
place foreign objects down the
center of either port on the G-J tube. This may damage the G-J tube and cause it to become
nonfunctional.
DO NOT MIX MEDICATIONS WITH FORMULA WHILE FEEDING.
Always administer medications
one at a time and thoroughly clean the extension set between each use. Try to obtain your
medications in liquid form when possible and, if only available in tablet form, ask your pharmacist
if it is safe to crush the tablet into a fine powder and mix with warm water.
Leakage Around the Device:
Make sure the balloon is filled. (Resistance should be felt when gently pulling on the tube.) Ensure
the balloon is filled to the prescribed volume, see the table on page 20.
NOTE: The recommended fill volume is
printed on the top of the balloon fill valve
.
Check that the G-J tube corresponds
to
the prescribed French size and
length. If the incorrect device is in place,
call your healthcare provider.
The G-J tube may be too tight or too
loose around your stoma. Call your
healthcare provider to have your stoma
remeasured.
For new placements, it may take time
for the stoma tract to naturally heal, firm
up around the tube, and conform to the
balloon device. If the leaking persists
contact your healthcare provider.
Applied Medical Technology, Inc.
25
Upset Stomach:
May occur if too much formula is administered or if the formula is
delivered too quickly.
Call your
healthcare provider if this continues.
Vomiting:
Aspiration (inhalation of food or stomach contents into the lungs) may occur while vomiting,
causing difficulty in breathing or other serious medical conditions. Stop feeding and decompress
the stomach immediately if vomiting occurs.
Contact emergency care immediately if difficulty in breathing occurs or aspiration is
suspected. DO NOT feed while the patient is laying flat.
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