G Tube feeding running while eating breakfast?

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So I am working as a CNA at a rehab facility. We often have pts who are admitted with Gtube but then weaned off when they can eat enough food orally to meet there nutritional req.

But as far as I know you should not be eating and have a tube feeding running at the same time, doesn't it defeat the purpose since your recording what they eat orally and that will be looked at to determine if the feedings will be discontinued. How much can you possibly eat while your having a feeding running simultaneously?

So when this happened i informed the nurse and she was very rude to me acting like i was bothering her and it was unnecessary to stop his feeding to eat.

so was i in the wrong for saying anything is this okay?

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Specializes in ER/Geriatrics/Med-Surg/Ortho.

You weren't wrong for saying anything. But, yes not everyone who has a g-tube is NPO. The g-tube can supplement their diet while they are adjusting to eating again.

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Yes i understand that but should they be eating food and have a feeding running simultaneously? Or should it be off while they are eating a meal?

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Specializes in Medicine.

Yes this would be appropriate treatment for certain patients. They may not be eating adequately without a feeding tube so it would be added as a supplement, usually at a lower rate to run continuously. Some patients nibble here and there or have issues with absorption etc. The g-tube feed can continue at the same time as they are eating breakfast. Once the patient makes progress the need for a feeding tube would be reassessed.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Most places where I've been in LTC, we would turn off the feeding an hour or more before a meal to stimulate a resident's appetite (or at least to reduce the 'full feeling'). Some meals and feedings are called "recreational feedings" with the intention not so much to life-sustain normal diet but rather for the social and/ or psychological effects of partaking a meal. It was always done with MD orders, care-planned, and having had a Dietician Consult. I&O and meal-monitoring included, too.

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I understand you thought process, and perhaps the nurse did too, and couldn't explain, lol.

sometimes it is for oral pleasure or the social aspect, as previously mentioned. Try to reformulate your question, or ask another nurse.

So I am working as a CNA at a rehab facility. We often have pts who are admitted with Gtube but then weaned off when they can eat enough food orally to meet there nutritional req.

But as far as I know you should not be eating and have a tube feeding running at the same time, doesn't it defeat the purpose since your recording what they eat orally and that will be looked at to determine if the feedings will be discontinued. How much can you possibly eat while your having a feeding running simultaneously?

So when this happened i informed the nurse and she was very rude to me acting like i was bothering her and it was unnecessary to stop his feeding to eat.

so was i in the wrong for saying anything is this okay?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
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