Please help, question about NG tube? TIA!

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I am currently reading the "35 page NCLEX review material". Based on the material, "NG tube can be irrigated with cola." Is this really appropriate? And what's the rationale behind this? Thanks in advance for all your responses! :)

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

It's not best practice or recommended any longer as the cola can degrade the tube. It used to be a method to unclog NG or PEG tubes. Most clogs can be prevented by routine flushes with free water.

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It's not best practice or recommended any longer as the cola can degrade the tube. It used to be a method to unclog NG or PEG tubes. Most clogs can be prevented by routine flushes with free water.

This, I have worked with nurses in the past that used cola to unclog feeding tubes. However as JustBeachyNurse said the acid in the cola degrades the tubing. Flushing with water after checking residual, giving meds, or feeding am through an ng or peg tube will prevent clogging. Also my experience so far is that there is also a routine flush that is done each shift with an amount in the MAR that tells you how much to flush with (may differ depending on the policy of the facility).

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the NCLEX forum

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Specializes in Critical care.

At my facility if a PEG or NG tube becomes clogged despite routine flushes we use a clog zapper that the MD orders and is sent to us from pharmacy.

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thanks for the informative responses :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Critical Care.

I learned about this in nursing school, but I've never seen it used. If an NG tube is seriously that clogged up, take it out and put in a new one, it's really not that hard.

I mean, a PEG would be different, but if the question is asking about NG? Put in a fresh one.

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