Unclogging a g-tube

Nurses General Nursing

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How do you unclog a g-tube? I haven't had a pt with a clogged g-tube in a long time and can't remember what we did to unclog them. It seems like Coke was involved...

Specializes in TELEMETRY.
nurseninafla said:
nowadays there is a little device called a de-clogger (thats what we call it) a long plastic stem looking thingy that you insert into the gt works everytime!

yes i have tried it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

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Specializes in LTC.

http://www.activeforever.com/p-2828-corpak-clog-zapper-for-feeding-tubes.aspx

holy cow!...check out the price...box of 10 packs. $399.00. :uhoh21:

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Specializes in SRNA.
nursinger said:
http://www.activeforever.com/p-2828-corpak-clog-zapper-for-feeding-tubes.aspx

holy cow!...check out the price...box of 10 packs. $399.00. :uhoh21:

yes, much cheaper than replacing the gtube.

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Specializes in Med Surg-Geriatrics.
nursinger said:
http://www.activeforever.com/p-2828-corpak-clog-zapper-for-feeding-tubes.aspx

holy cow!...check out the price...box of 10 packs. $399.00. :uhoh21:

that is insane but so is the cost of most medical supplies (wish i would have thought to invent these!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I used to work in pediatric LTC and spent a lot of time unclogging g and j tubes. I had an order of what I would try for a J tube:

Start with a 5 or 10ml syringe, it makes a BIG difference than the 60ml syringe.

1. Warm water

2. club soda

3. coffee

4. sodium bicarb+viokase tablet (if you work in LTC they might have a standing order so you can use this, it's pretty successful.) You crush both tablets, mix with a small amount of water, warm it up and place in the tube.

For a g-tube just remove the tube (place a same size foley to hold the stoma open) and then you can look at where it's clogged and flush it out, clean the tube and put the tube back in the patient. This is a lot easier on the patient. Of course this all depends on your hospital's policy. We did it all the time in LTC.

Hope this helps!

Meredith

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trujrzygirl said:
Step 1: Insert a 60 cc syringe into the end of the feeding tube. Pull the plunger back to suction the clog out of the feeding tube. If this does not work, go to the next step. Step 2: Fill a cup with warm water. Add a feeding tube unclogging medication to the water if one has been prescribed by your doctor. Put the end of the syringe into the cup and pull the plunger back to draw the water up into the syringe. Completely fill the syringe with warm water. Insert the syringe into the end of the feeding tube. Push the plunger in gently to release the warm water into the feeding tube and to flush out the clog. Avoid forcing the water into the tube. If the warm water does not remove the clog, get medical assistance from a doctor or at the emergency room. Prevent future clogs in the feeding tube by using a syringe to flush warm water through the feeding tube before and after every feeding. Ask a doctor for a recommendation on the proper amount of water to use for regular G-tube flushing.

Are you a CNA?

If so your facility allows you to perform this? Thats not in your scope of practise:eek:.

In the real world, there is a low likelihood that a doctor will advise you on how much water to use to flush a Gtube:rolleyes:

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Specializes in Long-term care.

She may have gotten that information from the internet or a textbook, and just wants to share the info to help all of you. She's probably not unclogging g tubes as a CNA.

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Bellarubia18 said:
She may have gotten that information from the internet or a textbook, and just wants to share the info to help all of you. She's probably not unclogging g tubes as a CNA.

This was my take on that post, especially since it mirrored info in a subsequent post.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

i have always put coke in my tubes and let it sit there for about 15-30 min...works every time...

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Would you need an order to flush with cola?

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As a nurse on a nutritional support service, I have placed, unclogged, repositioned, and replaced feeding tubes for 28 years. The clogging of tubes is at times a daunting challenge. We were lucky enough to use the "InTRO-ReDUCER" for many years. It was discontinued last year. However, we do have "CLOG ZAPPER" which works very well. And I have read the comments about the cost - but when you think that each of these little gems costs about $40 vs the cost of replacing a tube - if it is a G or PEG tube - the MD, x-ray, new tube costs or a small bore tube and the x-rays that go with it - plus the down time waiting for the procedure while the patient isn't getting any nutrition. I discourage our nurses from the juice and soda route simply because we have a great product that does the job without the potential problem of causing a clog in the future. Has anyone else ever used the InTRO-ReDUCER? I am always looking for something new and just found this site today. Love the comments and sharing.

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Nutrition support RD here. You should never unclog a feeding tube with any liquid that has syrup or sugars. Will only continue to promote more clogging. Negative pressure and warm water. Meat tenderizers or enzymes.

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