Roto Rooter??

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Ok, maybe not - but what have you tried to unclog a peg tube??

Coca-Cola somestimes works.

Specializes in learning disabilities/midwifery.

We usually use coke or any type of carbonated drink, that seems to do the job.

We did try coke and meat tenderizer but neither worked. I said I'd get on here and see if anyone had any ideas!

Carbonated beverage, meat tenderizer. For all the student nurses out there -- NEVER crush potassium & flush it through the tube -- it will clog clog clog. Always. Don't think all the carbonated beverages and meat tenderizer in the world would help with that.

#8 FR NG tube with the stylet in (don't use the stylet alone...to much risk of injury).

I have also had good luck with just being patient...periodicly striping anything in the tube out with my fingers and waiting for the GI secretions to work on what ever is in the tube.

1cc H2O2 diluted with 4cc H2O..sometimes fizzes wharever is clogging it out...then flush with more h2O

Specializes in ER.

Wouldn't the stylet poke right through the NG and the PEG? Especially if you were using any pressure, but the NG just might be enough to work, good idea.

Specializes in Geriatrics, LTC.

We have used a tube declogger, but usually try coke first.

Originally posted by canoehead

Wouldn't the stylet poke right through the NG and the PEG? Especially if you were using any pressure, but the NG just might be enough to work, good idea.

Not with the tubes we used...the stylet would not advance into the NG tube any farther than its hub...hard to explain...trying to remember who manufactures the NGs we used...had an orange port/plug on the end...Flexiflo maybe.

I am known at work as the RN with the "secret weapon" to unclog tubes. My "Secret Weapon"??? Normal Saline. Use a push-pause technique and patience. The saline will break whatever it is up enough to flush thru. There have only been a few times that this has not worked. We also use something called "Clog Zapper" although I have not had much luck with it.

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