G-tube - Medication Administration

[LVNtoRNstudent13]

Hi all,

I am a LVN with little experience, and currently in the RN program.  I have a silly question, can you administer medications through the feeding port as well?  I am getting different responses from nurses saying you can, and that some don't even use the medication port.

Thank you,

[Ioreth, ADN, RN]

Some G-tubes have 2 ports (1 for the feed and 1 for meds), but some just have 1 port. A 2 port G-tube will have a 3 way stopper. I haven't seen enough 1 port g-tubes to remember the arrangement on them. It certainly doesn't matter which port you put the meds through. The feed port is there just for the convenience of not needing to remove the feed tubing while passing med. The biggest thing is making sure your solid meds are ground to powder before putting them in and flushing extra water if you are doing any sticky liquids. Then just give a good solid 30-50 mL flush and start the feed back up.