PEG-tube vs G-tube

Nursing Students Student Assist

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Specializes in Rehabilitation; LTC; Med-Surg.

Hi all,

Can someone explain to me the physical differences between a PEG-tube and G-tube? I handled ONE last semester in clinicals, but since we are going to the hospitals beginning next week I don't want to appear a complete fool. Are there differences in appearance that will help me figure out what type of feeding this is? Or does it really matter what you call it? I've heard the PEG-tube has a "mushroom" tip on it.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

G-tube: generic word for any tube with a terminal end in the stomach.

PEG tube: the most common type of long-term G-tube. PEG describes the nature of placement: percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

The "mushroom" you speak of is because they actually route the tube down the esophagus into the stomach, and then pull it through a small incision from inside. The mushroom is just like a washer on a bolt-- it helps to keep it from slipping out. Some have a 'double mushroom' with a second part on the outside of the stomach.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

read the h&p or the surgical procedure note in the patient's chart to help determine what the person has if the kardex doesn't state it: http://www.icufaqs.org/ngtubes.doc - n/g tubes for beginners

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