How to Care for a Feeding Tube

A feeding tube is a soft, flexible tube through which medicine, water, and liquid food can be given. A person may have a feeding tube if she or he has trouble swallowing or cannot have food or medicine by mouth.

Supplies needed to care for the tube site:

• Clean gloves.
• Clean washcloth, gauze pads, or soft paper towel.
• Cotton swabs.
• Skin barrier ointment or cream, such as petroleum jelly.
• Soap and water.
• Pre-cut foam pads or gauze for around the tube.
• Tube tape.
• Anchoring device (optional).

How to care for the tube site

1. Have all supplies ready and available.
2. Wash your hands well.
3. Put on clean gloves.
4. If there is a foam pad or gauze under the tube stabilizing disc and it is soiled or moist or has been there for more than one day, replace it.
5. Check the skin around the tube site for redness, a rash, swelling, drainage, or extra tissue growth. If you notice any of these, call your health care provider.
6. Use water and soap to moisten gauze pads and cotton swabs.
7. Use the moistened cotton swabs to wipe the area closest to the tube, right near the opening in the abdomen (stoma).
8. Use the moistened gauze pads to wipe the surrounding skin.
9. Rinse with water.
10. Use a washcloth, dry gauze pad, or soft paper towel to dry the skin and stoma site.
11. If the skin is red, use a cotton swab to apply a skin barrier cream or ointment in a circular motion. The cream or ointment will help the wound to heal. Do not apply antibiotic ointments at the tube site.
12. Apply a new pre-cut foam pad or gauze around the tube. If there is no drainage, you can leave off the foam pads or gauze.
13. Secure the pre-cut foam pad or gauze with tape around the edges.
14. Use tape or an anchoring device to fasten the feeding tube to the skin for comfort or as directed. Alternate where you put the tape to avoid damaging the skin.
15. Position the person in a semi-upright position, at about a 30–45 degree angle.
16. Throw away used supplies.
17. Remove your gloves.
18. Wash your hands.

Supplies needed to flush a feeding tube:

• Clean gloves.
• A clean 60 mL syringe that connects to the feeding tube.
• Towel.
• Sterile or purified water. Follow these guidelines:
  • Use sterile water if:
    • You have a weak immune system and have difficulty fighting off infections (are immunocompromised).
    • You are unsure about the amount of chemical contaminants in purified or drinking water.
  • Do not use fresh water found in lakes, rivers, reservoirs, or aquifers without treating or filtering first.
  • To purify drinking water by boiling:
    • Boil water for at least 1 minute. Keep a lid over the water while it boils.
    • Allow the water to cool to room temperature before using.

How to flush a feeding tube

1. Have all supplies ready and available.
2. Wash your hands well.
3. Put on clean gloves.
4. Draw up 30 mL of water into the syringe.
5. Before flushing, place the towel under the tube to catch any fluid leaks.
6. Kink the feeding tube while disconnecting it from the feeding-bag tubing or while removing the cap at the end of the tube. Kinking closes the tube and prevents fluid in the tube from spilling out.
7. Insert the tip of the syringe into the end of the feeding tube.
8. Release the kink.
9. Slowly inject the water. If you are unable to inject the water, the tip of the tube may be against the person’s stomach, blocking fluid flow. To fix this problem, have the person with the feeding tube lie on his or her left side. Then, try injecting the water again. If there is resistance, do not use a lot of force to overcome it because this could cause the tube to tear.
10. Remove the syringe and replace the cap.
11. Throw away used supplies.
12. Remove your gloves.
13. Wash your hands.

Follow these instructions at home:

Caring for the tube

• If there is a foam pad or gauze under the tube stabilizing disc, change it every day and when it is soiled or moist.
• Do not apply antibiotic ointments at the tube site.

Flushing the tube

• Do not use a syringe that is smaller than 60 mL.
• To prevent medicine from clogging the tube, flush the tube at all of these times:
  • Before the person is given the first medicine.
  • Between medicines.
  • After the person is given the final medicine before starting a feeding.
• Do not mix medicines with formula or with other medicines.
• Thoroughly flush medicines through the tube so they do not mix with formula.

Contact a health care provider if:

• The tube becomes blocked or clogged.
• You find any of these on the skin around the tube site:
  • Redness.
  • A rash.
  • Swelling.
  • Drainage.
  • Extra tissue growth.

Summary

• A feeding tube is a soft, flexible tube through which medicine, water, and liquid food can be given. A person may have a feeding tube if she or he has trouble swallowing or cannot have food or medicine by mouth.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about daily care and flushing of the tube.
• Contact your health care provider if the tube becomes blocked or clogged, or if you notice swelling, drainage, or changes in skin around the tube site.