Alcohol and the NG Tube

[BzzyBee]

Hi all,

I am in a quandry. I am currently in the end of my 2nd semester of LVN school and have a presentation to due. It is on the NG tube and medication administration and what is to be used in the tube feedings and such. They are going to ask can alcohol be given. I know the answer is no, but I can seem to find the words to explain why. Can anyone help?

Thanks

BzzyBee

[sara_ky]

You mean ETOH? I would think there would be any number of contraindications you could cite. Most obvious to me would be that there is no medical or nursing intervention which would require the administration of ETOH. (Right?) Additionally, ETOH has numerous possible side effects and negative drug interactions that would contraindicate its administration. ETOH is also linked to more potential health problems, particularly r/t liver functioning than any perceived benefits. Someone on an NG tube may have decreased or depressed respiratory function or mental cognition, which would be further impaired by the use of ETOH.

These would be my initial thoughts. Sounds like an interesting presentation! Would you mind to post the answer that you presented for your class? I would be curious to find out what your instructors were looking for in a response. :)