Frequently Asked Questions On Enteral Pumps
- Weigh yourself 2 times a week at the same time of day and in the same type of clothing. Write it down in your diary.
- Call your doctor, dietitian, if you:
- Gain more than 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms) in 1 week
- Lose more than 2 pounds (.90 kilograms) in 1 week
- Have swelling in your feet, legs, hands, or face
- Feel very thirsty o Feel dizzy o Have difficulty breathing
The best position for tube feeding is to Sit up in a chair during the procedure. If you’re getting your tube feeding while in bed, use a wedge pillow to prop yourself up to at least 45 degrees.
- Always reclamp your feeding tube before removing your catheter tip syringe to avoid leakage.
- Move the clamp on your feeding tube to avoid permanent kinking of the tube.
- To avoid clogging, always flush your feeding tube with the amount of water recommended by your NP or dietitian (usually 30 to 60 mL) before and after:
- Each feeding.Â
- Taking each medication.Â
- Taking additional clear liquids. - If you aren’t using your feeding tube daily, flush it with 60 mL of water at least once a day.
Some of the common problems faced by tube fed patients are Constipation, bloating, nausea, stomach cramps, or diarrhea
Contact your healthcare provider
- If you see any of the following at your insertion site:
- Bleeding that soaks a small gauze padÂ
- Pus or drainage with a foul smellÂ
- RednessÂ
- SwellingÂ
- Increased pain that doesn’t go away with medication - Feel too full after feedings
- Have swelling in your abdomen
- Have nausea or vomiting for more than 24 hours
- Have bloating, stomach cramps, or diarrhea for more than 24 hours
- Haven’t had a bowel movement in 2 days
- Have hard and dry bowel movements
- Have any changes in your bowel movement, such as in the color, consistency, frequency, or amount.
- Have any changes in your urine, such as in the color, frequency, or amount.
- Have a temperature of 101° F (38.3° C) or higher
- Have chills
- Gain more than 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms) per week
- Lose more than 2 pounds (.90 kilograms) per week
- Have swelling of your feet, legs, hands, or face
- Are dizzy
- Have difficulty breathing