Water via MIC-KEY button

Specialties Private Duty

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I have a patient with a feeding schedule that states to give them 250-300 mL of water in between their feedings. Do I administer this feeding via pump like their formula is given or do I do it differently. I can find lots of information about feeding formula but nothing about giving just plain water.

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

Depends on the physician's orders. I have one (pediatric)patient that we are to administer a total of 210-315mL free H20 via GT in divided doses of 30-45mL 7 times a day as tolerated. (In this case med flushes of 30mL count as the extra water is not otherwise tolerated)

I have another patient that is a total of 510 mL Free water, given as 85mL H20 Flush after each of the 6 feedings via GT on pump

Another is 360mL free H20 daily given 3 gravity boluses of 120mL each. (4 bolus feeds at 4 hour intervals, the water is given at approximately the 2hr mark at least 1hr after and no more than 1hr before the next bolus feed is due).

Yet another (all pediatric patients) is 500mL warmed H20 (we even have to check the temp) given in five 100mL infusions on the pump immediately following the formula feed. (the formula tends to clump and this helps it run through the rest of the way)

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I'll have to look into it in more detail tommorrow when visiting the patient. The sheet I was given simply stated, "1030 : 250-300 mL water; 1200: 2 cans formula; 1400 : 250- 250 mL water; 1600 : 1-2 can formula with 150 mL water...." and continue's like this through the day and night. Then it has a flow rate at the very end.

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

If there is a flow rate it's likely via pump. Is this an adult or a child? Smaller children with volumes greater than an ounce or two often get the water bolus via pump.

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Yes it is a child, I was thinking that it was via pump. It's my first day with this patient and as a home health nurse so I'm kinda nervous and probably just over thinking things while trying to be prepared.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Step-Down.

I usually ask the parents/patient what they usually do. If not I give it with the pump over 30-60 minutes (depending on volume and size of the patient).

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

Thread moved to private duty nursing forum to elicit further response

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Ask the parent what they usually do. Smaller kid, probably pump. Bigger kid? Can probably go gravity.

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