NG Tube?

Published

Specializes in School Nursing.

Anyone have a student return to school with an NG tube in place?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Never

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I can't understand a reason that would happen. If it's a feeding tube for a short-term enteral feeding regimen I guess I can see it? I'm just not used to seeing pediatric patients discharged from acute care that way unless the enteral feeds are considered to be of only a few weeks times - I've seen it in some eating disorder patients and in infant/toddlers when they are thinking a g-button won't be needed but I can't imagine going to school that way. Anything beyond a few weeks and a g-button is almost always placed.

For anything other than feeding, such as gastric decompression or drainage, I definitely can't see that ever happening in a school setting. Those things are so irritating to the nares, I've honestly never had a patient discharged with one as we are feeding them at discharge unless they are on TPN.

I'm curious to learn more about this case and what's going on! It seems like we are kicking people out of the hospital as quickly as possible so I guess just go back to school????

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in kids.

Is it a kid on chemo? Have had kids with PEG tubs

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have never had a student but I had a friend who's high school age daughter had terrible ulcerative colitis with lots of complications - nausea, vomiting & pain - so much so that the kid would not eat. She ended up having an NG tube for a couple of weeks. Had to supplement at school once during the day.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.

We are having our meeting on Monday morning regarding this child returning to school so I'll definitely keep you all posted! Never a dull moment. Just when one crazy situation is resolved or at least under control another one pops up to take it's place.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pedi.

I am currently working as a liaison for an infusion/enteral company and I send kids home with NG tubes/on NG feeds that they will return to school with all the time. I have a first grader going home tomorrow with an NG tube, actually, and he will return to school with it.

In general, a surgical G-tube is not placed at this hospital unless it is determined that the child will need enteral feedings for a minimum of 6 months. Occasionally we have patients with inflammatory bowel disease who need to be on full liquid diets for a matter of a couple months and those kids get NG tubes. I have a teenager who's been on NG feeds since last winter and she goes to school on continuous feeds. She probably needs a surgical tube but I think her family is refusing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have had a kid go to the outdoor education program I worked at with a new NG tube and enteralyte pump.

It's not super common but it's also not unheard of. The child I took care of had a very severe flare up of Crohns. So her treatment plan involved resting her bowels and oral chemo. I just followed the doctors order specifically. It was a continuous feed so I just mixed up her formula, started the feed, and off she went. Usually they will give you the order to hold it for more strenuous activities. This girl played soccer with her NG tube in place! We had a little scare where the tube got tugged on while she was packing her stuff. But I just checked placement with the pH strips & stethoscope and she was good to go. Has it been a while since you dealt with an NG tube?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.
I have had a kid go to the outdoor education program I worked at with a new NG tube and enteralyte pump.

It's not super common but it's also not unheard of. The child I took care of had a very severe flare up of Crohns. So her treatment plan involved resting her bowels and oral chemo. I just followed the doctors order specifically. It was a continuous feed so I just mixed up her formula, started the feed, and off she went. Usually they will give you the order to hold it for more strenuous activities. This girl played soccer with her NG tube in place! We had a little scare where the tube got tugged on while she was packing her stuff. But I just checked placement with the pH strips & stethoscope and she was good to go. Has it been a while since you dealt with an NG tube?

Luckily I still work in the NICU as a weekend and summer job so I deal with NG tubes all the time!

We had our meeting yesterday morning so I got a lot more information about this kiddo. She returns to school today with a 10 Fr NG tube and an Enteralite Infinity pump. We will do 2 60 minute feeds during the day using aspiration and pH strips to confirm placement. I cover 5 buildings but will spend all day at this particular location so I can make sure we all know what we're doing. Luckily the doctor wrote into the orders that neither the school nurse nor the parents are to replace it if it becomes dislodged. They have to take her in or a home health nurse will be stopping by to change it. Cross your fingers today goes well. I'd love to keep this kiddo in school if we can!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.

Did our 2 tube feedings today and they went great! Taught the health office nurse how to check for placement, prepare, administer and clean up the feeding and she did it on her own this afternoon with me observing. Classroom teacher and para staff seems not as freaked out as they were before. I'd say that was a successful first day! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
Classroom teacher and para staff seems not as freaked out as they were before. I'd say that was a successful first day! :)

That's because you're a BOSS. Good education all the way around.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School nursing.
That's because you're a BOSS. Good education all the way around.

THIS. I want you to come and talk me through NG tube care when (because I always prep myself for when, not if, in school settings) I need it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion