need answer asap regarding peg tube

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i tried to flush my patient's peg tube but its completely clogged and water is coming out from the other pole. i usually change to new peg tube but today i ran out of luck and we are out of new peg tube. so i inserted a foley catheter and i tried to aspiriate for gastric contect but i'm not able to aspirate gastric content. how far am i suppose to insert the foley catheter? and if i'm not able to aspirate any gastric content, does it mean its not in place? i need aswer asap if possible. thank you

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm not sure if this is something you can do, since I'm just a student.... but during my LTC clinicals I had an RN inject air into someone's peg tube and had me listen to the bowel sounds to make sure it was in place. And, on a different pt it kept getting clogged so she put a little coke in there and waited 5 minutes, then it worked fine.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

I don't mean to sound flip or unkind, but this is not the kind of question that should be decided by posting on an anonymous bulletin board.

It sounds as if you have some real patient care concerns that need to be addressed by your institution's policy and procedure, your patient's care provider, or thru your chain of command for clinical issues.

Well meaning, but mistaken information could be shared here to the detriment of your patient and your license.

Please go thru your established chain of command for assistance.

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Specializes in LTC.

I agree with you Jolie, which is why I responded that I was a student nurse. That questioned kinda scared me with the 'asap' aspect. But, that is what I witnessed during clinicals, and I'm not sure if it was right or wrong, or what that facility's protocol was.

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Specializes in Sub Acute Rehab/ Oncology Med-Surg.

i thought a peg tube had to be changed by a doctor, or is it by policy of the institution/regulations of the state? i know if a peg tube comes out, inserting a foley cath will keep the stoma open.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

We have a patient where I work that had some serious peg tube placement and patency issues but it is always corrected by a surgeon and they x-ray to check for placement. We cannot do anything with the tube

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At my LTC facility, we can change out gastrostomy tubes routinely and as needed as long as they are not sutured in place. You can easily verify placement after the tube is inserted. Jejunal tubes, on the other hand, are a different story. Since there is no way of verifying placement except through an X-ray, only a qualified GI specialist can place these.

Clogged tubes? A carbonated beverage or even Viokase (if it is ordered) can help.

I am with Jolie on this, you should go through your facilities protocol.

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