Nurses Helping Nurses
allnurses Network: Central | Jobs | Books | Newsletter
allnurses: A Nursing Community for Nurses
Home General News Blogs Articles Students Region Specialty Degrees F.A.Q.
Log In | Register | Last 24 Hours
Nursing Issues On Patient Safety /

Meds. via Dobhoff feeding tubes



Did You Know?
allnurses is the largest community for nurses on the web. We now have over 388,733 members! Join today to network with other nurses, laugh, share, and much more.
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >

Nov 09, 2004 03:58 PM

Meds. via Dobhoff feeding tubes


Do you give crushed meds. via a Dobhoff feeding tube? When first introduced to our hospital they were for liquid feeds only. I see nurses crushing meds and giving them through these tubes. Is there research to support this or are tubes being replaced when they clog. What is your hospital policy for this matter?

Share
Search Tags
None
Top

 
Advertisement
Sponsored Links
 
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
Reply
11 Comments
No. 1
from pricklypear
Old Nov 09, 2004, 04:52 PM

I'm not sure if we have a policy re: meds down a DH, but we do it all the time. I usually allow the crushed meds to soak for some time before giving them, and this seems to help. I think sometimes people either don't let them soak long enough, or don't crush them finely enough. You can also flush with some coke to help it break up.
Top
 
No. 2
from ?burntout
Old Nov 09, 2004, 05:57 PM

If they have a dobbhoff and that is how they are getting intake, then yes, we will give meds through it. If we can not get liquid meds, we crush meds that can be crushed and dissolve them very well in warm water. We also flush before and after each med-that is our policy with giving any meds through a feeding tube-whether a dobbhoff or g-tube.
Top
 
No. 3
from Nurseboy1
Old Nov 09, 2004, 05:59 PM

At my facility we NEVER give meds down a dubhoff tube. The lumen of the tube is narrow and there is a higher risk of clogs in the tube. We often give meds IV or PR until a PEG or a G/J tube can be placed.
Top
 
No. 4
from Tracy38000
Old Jan 26, 2009, 08:18 PM

Default Re: Meds. via Dobhoff feeding tubes
i have given meds, well crushed and soaked in soda, down a dobhoff tube. flush well before and after. my questions is...does anyone get any residual back on these tubes? i have checked and do not get any all the while my patient sounded horrible with rhonchi. just wondering....
Top
 
No. 5
from MedSurg32RN
Old Feb 01, 2009, 10:56 AM

Default Re: Meds. via Dobhoff feeding tubes
I had this discussion with another nurse, fortunately she and I attended the same nursing school so we had common ground. Dobhoff had as weight at the end of it ( it use to be mercury but I am sure that has changed) pulling back for an aspirate can break that weight. So my long winded answer is no.
Top
 
No. 6
from mskate
Old Feb 03, 2009, 09:41 PM

Default Re: Meds. via Dobhoff feeding tubes
we give them that way all the time - crush them up well, let them dissolve (i crush then put it in a urine sample cup to shake it up) and push it right in.

I have only very rarely had a problem with clogs!
Top
 
No. 7
from Keysnurse2008
Old Feb 23, 2009, 09:06 PM

Default Re: Meds. via Dobhoff feeding tubes
DHt's are for short term use anyway. I give meds all the time through them. If they clog....and BTW they wont usually if you crush your meds finely and flush them adequately...but if they did....just replace it and shoot another xray to verify placement. But...to answer your question....meds are fine throgh them.
Top
 
No. 8
from Keysnurse2008
Old Feb 23, 2009, 09:09 PM

Default Re: Meds. via Dobhoff feeding tubes
Originally Posted by Tracy38000 View Post
i have given meds, well crushed and soaked in soda, down a dobhoff tube. flush well before and after. my questions is...does anyone get any residual back on these tubes? i have checked and do not get any all the while my patient sounded horrible with rhonchi. just wondering....
DHTs usually float past the stomach...so typically you should not get residual.....
Top
 
No. 9
from reisling
Old Feb 23, 2009, 09:31 PM

Default Re: Meds. via Dobhoff feeding tubes
Fellow nurse caused a pneumothorax putting in a dobbhoff. Make sure you get that x ray. Also does anyone if you can put the tubes down without the wire.
Top
 
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
Reply




Thread Tools


Who's Online
223 members
1,789 guests
2,012

Nursing News

3

Four Lehigh Valley Health Network nurses accused of...
48

lawsuit - But don't most RN's work through breaks/lunch...
0

Patient Evaluation of Retail Clinic Care
7

The hard to reach on-call doctor, and its effects on...
11

Woman charged with passing off prescription drug as...
26

Man in "Vegetative State" was conscious for 23...
2

Interesting article on ThedaCare's Collaborative Care Model
14

Possible breakthrough regarding MS
63

16th Philly area hospital to stop delivering babies: Mercy...
14

Really interesting article on Indian open hearts


Nursing Articles

45

Dear preceptor
1

Society Needs Care Too
13

Why am I doing this, anyway?
2

Nurse Heal Thyself
10

My Papa, why I am the nurse I am today.
17

I made it through
11

An angel's gaze
16

A Sister Never Forgets
16

Ruby's Marbles
42

What Do Operating Room Nurses Do?
14

My Little Old Jedi
21

I love this job......
23

"I hear voices"
20

Preventing FRUTI (Foley Related Urinary Tract Infection) in...
24

Error and Attitude


Does allnurses.com make you a better nurse?


Sponsored Links

Currently Reading This Page: 1 (0 members & 1 guests)

Interested in the hottest topics of the week? Subscribe to the Nurse-zine Newsletter.
Enter email address:

Available Topics (tags)


Search By Tag:

New To Site
Need Help
Quick Links

Copyright © 1996-2009, allnurses.com. All rights reserved.  allnurses.com, Inc.
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:33 PM.