Bowel programs for clients with G tubes on continuous feeds.

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Hi there!

I am a recent RN graduate and currently working in home healthcare. I have a client with aadvanced ALS who has a G-tube and on continuous feeds. I'm wondering if anyone has experience starting a

BP with a client like this and has advice to share?

Thank you!

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Bowel program on continous feed is exactly the same as for bolus feed. It might need to be more intence, but only for the reason of relatively low fiber and free water content in all formulas (if you noticed, total volume of feeding + free water x 24h is usually less than 2 liters, and 2 liters is about those "8 of 8-oz glasses" recommended for most of us, NOT counting fruits, veggies, soups and so forth).

Where I was, ALS patients got the same stuff as anybody else on bowel program - Colace, Miralax whiff and supps if the above didn't work for 48h.

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That is good to know! I tried researching but came up empty. We have yet to give it a go but I'm happy the continuous feeding won't be of too much concern when they decide to go for it.

Thank you!

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