Crushing medications and administering via Peg tube

mudd68 · Mar 19, 2015

This is a little tip from my bedside days, which to be honest was years ago now, but I do remember a little technique taught to me by an older instructor. It was to GENTLY swirl, twirl, rotate, however you want to call it, your syringe around in circular motion while the fluid/meds are going in by gravity. It keeps the particulate matter/crushed meds from clumping up at the tip. Keeps them suspended in the fluid so to speak. Also, it never hurts, actually is/was recommended, to flush with H2O intermittently if giving more than one or two crushed meds at a time!

loriangel14, RN · Mar 19, 2015

Are you dissolving them in hot water first?

mugs · Mar 19, 2015

No I did not think of that I use water at room temp

PennyS · Mar 19, 2015

Need some tips
How to crush medications finely so that they are not stuck in the syringe and flow freely in the peg tube? Please advice. Any tips to dissolve the powdered medications would ne highly helpful and any technique to administer the medications would be highly appreciated. Thanks

I have had the most success using a pestle and crushing right in the packaging. I then pour into a medicine cup, mix with warm water and draw up. I've never had problems with tube getting clogged.

caliotter3 · Mar 19, 2015

Depending on the meds, I use water as hot as possible first, then mix with cool water or allow it to cool at room temperature while swirling it so often before administering. Some meds I prepare early, give them a long time to dissolve completely.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2015

I do the swirling thing too, and yes dissolve them in warm water. If you've ever taken chemistry, remember that to increase water's solvent property, to heat it up and agitate it? Also make sure you're using enough water.

allnurses Guide · Mar 20, 2015

Need some tips
How to crush medications finely so that they are not stuck in the syringe and flow freely in the peg tube? Please advice. Any tips to dissolve the powdered medications would ne highly helpful and any technique to administer the medications would be highly appreciated. Thanks

Here's what I do - First crush the meds as fine as possible it sometimes takes a bit of effort the I take the Plunger off the syringe and put about 20 cc of H2O in it and add the meds Put the plunger back on being careful not to spill it. Leave some air space and vigorously shake the syringe until you don't see any solid pieces expel the air from the syringe Then administer through G-Tube - Flush G-tube well with 30 cc H20 before and after administration to make sure the tube is patent. Also flush the syringe well after use so your not leaving a crusty dried mess for the nurse who follows you. :)

Hppy