G-tube pulled out by patient

WittySarcasm, BSN · Jun 11, 2015

Im a new nurse who got hired 3 weeks ago at a rehab/acute care. I had one patient who pulled out his G-tube. It happened so fast. At 9pm, I have just given her her PRN pain med and she was fine. At 1030pm, the CNA just check on her and she was still fine. When I checked on him at 11pm, it was all out. I immediately called the other nurse whom I am working with. I am so worried that they will kick me out of the rehab because of what happened. =(

Don't fret. I can tell you right now from experience no matter how old the patient is once they have a tube they are going to pull it out at least once in their stay. I've had grown men who are alert and oriented and sharp as a whip and they pull their Foley out with the balloon inflated just because. Tubes can be easily placed again. It just depends on your facility's rules. Where I was we could replace it when we saw it was out. Other places you have to call the doctor that placed it for orders.

I promise you'll feel like crap when it gets pulled. It's not your fault. You were a great nurse and there's nothing that would have prevented it. Stuff happens.

At the same time if she doesn't have one I'd ask about an abdominal binder. It keeps questing hands busy so that it takes a little longer before they can get to the tube. It won't stop it getting yanked out but it will make it harder to get to.

I've had Foleys, GT, trachs, and piccs get pulled out by the patient during my career so far.

limit68 · Jul 10, 2015

We'll get punishment even Pt pull out by themselves. Case analysis, fill the paper work of tube dislodgemeant. How about u guys?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2015

We'll get punishment even Pt pull out by themselves. Case analysis, fill the paper work of tube dislodgemeant. How about u guys?

I've never worked at a facility that punished nursing staff when patients pulled their feeding tubes out. Tube dislodgement is a fact of life in healthcare facilities.