A nurse is providing site care for a child who has a gastrostomy enteral tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A.
Tape the tube to the child’s cheek.
B.
Apply water-soluble lubricant to the site.
C.
Attach an extension tube to the site’s opening prior to use.
D.
Secure the tubing to the child’s abdomen.
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is:
D. Secure the tubing to the child’s abdomen.
Explanation:
A gastrostomy enteral tube (G-tube) is a medical device used to provide nutrition directly to the stomach through an incision in the abdominal wall. Proper care and maintenance of the G-tube site are crucial to prevent complications such as infection, leakage, and tube dislodgement. The following explanation addresses why securing the tubing to the child’s abdomen is the appropriate action:
1. Preventing Dislodgement and Ensuring Stability:
Securing the tubing to the child’s abdomen is essential for maintaining tube stability. It helps to prevent accidental dislodgement or pulling on the tube, which could cause discomfort, injury, or complications. Proper securing also ensures that the tube remains in the correct position for effective delivery of nutrition and medications.
2. Reducing Risk of Infection:
By securing the tubing properly, the nurse can help reduce the risk of infection at the gastrostomy site. Securement devices or adhesive strips are typically used to anchor the tube in place and ensure that it does not move excessively. This minimizes the potential for skin irritation or breakdown around the insertion site.
3. Avoiding Complications:
Incorrect techniques, such as taping the tube to the child’s cheek or applying water-soluble lubricant to the site, could lead to complications. Taping the tube to the cheek is not appropriate as it does not provide stable or effective support and may increase the risk of tube displacement or infection. Water-soluble lubricants are generally not used at the gastrostomy site as they do not offer protection or stabilization and could potentially contribute to skin irritation.
4. Correct Procedure for Extension Tubes:
Attaching an extension tube to the gastrostomy tube is done based on the need for feeding or medication administration but is not part of routine site care. Proper connection of extension tubes is crucial, but this is different from securing the tube to prevent movement and potential complications.
In summary, securing the tubing to the child’s abdomen helps ensure stability, prevent complications, and reduce the risk of infection, making it the most appropriate action for site care.