Hello everyone, first let me start by saying, I think I am just being paranoid and I definitely will wear my glasses for g/j tube care in the future. I was administering medication through JTube, when I went to flush prior to, with saline it was clogged, and sprayed onto bed. I had a mask and gown on but no glasses. I didn't feel anything hit my face or eyes but is there a small chance that some fluid could have? Should I be worried about catching any viruses like HIV or HepC? Thank you!
Kitiger, RN 1,811 Posts Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics. Has 44 years experience. Jul 25, 2022 It's unlikely you will catch anything. Still, you should report it.
No Stars In My Eyes 3,781 Posts Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN. Has 43 years experience. Jul 25, 2022 Here's a helpful hint I learned the hard way: don't do a J-tube-feeding, then add some Cough Syrup on top of it, because the mix makes it not want to go through. The formula got semi-solid and it was a bee-yotch to clear. Soda did not help AT ALL! I was at a PDN case w. an 88 y.o. woman when this happened... I was flummoxed about how to clear it. It wouldn't be pushed nor would it be pulled. Ended up (shhh, don't tell anyone to do this!) I used a 14" shishkebab stick, and EVENTUALLY I got the tube cleared. GADS! I learned to give the med, clear the tube with water, THEN do the tube feeding and flush that with water. All done separately; don't think you can use any "short-cuts" or combos. Hard-won wisdom!
Kitiger, RN 1,811 Posts Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics. Has 44 years experience. Jul 25, 2022 7 minutes ago, No Stars In My Eyes said: Here's a helpful hint I learned the hard way: don't do a J-tube-feeding, then add some Cough Syrup on top of it, because the mix makes it not want to go through. The formula got semi-solid and it was a bee-yotch to clear. Soda did not help AT ALL! I was at a PDN case w. an 88 y.o. woman when this happened... I was flummoxed about how to clear it. It wouldn't be pushed nor would it be pulled. Ended up (shhh, don't tell anyone to do this!) I used a 14" shishkebab stick, and EVENTUALLY I got the tube cleared. GADS! I learned to give the med, clear the tube with water, THEN do the tube feeding and flush that with water. All done separately; don't think you can use any "short-cuts" or combos. Hard-won wisdom! Washing down GT or JT meds with formula is another way to clog up the tube. Use water.
No Stars In My Eyes 3,781 Posts Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN. Has 43 years experience. Jul 25, 2022 Yup. But the worst was the formula and cough syrup, I promise! Live and learn!
Home Health Columnist / Guide NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN 11 Articles; 17,702 Posts Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion. Has 46 years experience. Oct 21, 2022 Check for residual. Water flush 50cc, meds liquid or crushed as needed and diluted with 30cc water -give 15cc then flush, finish remainder meds then at least 50cc flush afterwards + additional H20 requirement, restart feeding. Prevents 95% clogs . Live and Learn!
No Stars In My Eyes 3,781 Posts Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN. Has 43 years experience. Oct 21, 2022 Thanks! Good to know. But it's a moot point for me now, as I am retired by about 5-6 years now. I hope not to have to do any more tube feeding or give meds that way. My problem then was I trying to rush. Instead I made it much harder on myself. The patient wasn't upset at all, she was just interested in how I could solve the problem so she didn't have to have the tube changed.
