A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a child through an enteral tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take after administering the medication?
A.
Flush the tubing.
B.
Clamp the tubing
C.
Check patency of the tubing
D.
Aspirate the tubing
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Flush the tubing.
When administering medication through an enteral tube, it is essential to ensure that the medication is delivered effectively and that the tube remains patent. Flushing the tubing with a suitable amount of water after administering the medication serves several critical purposes.
First, flushing helps to ensure that the full dose of medication reaches the child’s gastrointestinal tract. Medications can adhere to the walls of the tube, and without a flush, some of the dose might be left in the tubing, leading to underdosing. This is especially important in pediatric patients, where accurate dosing is crucial for therapeutic effectiveness.
Second, flushing helps to clear the tube of any residual medication, preventing any potential clogging. Enteral tubes, particularly those that are small-bore or not used frequently, can become obstructed with dried medication, leading to complications that might necessitate tube replacement or other interventions.
Third, flushing the tube helps to maintain tube patency, which is essential for ongoing feeding or medication administration. If the tube is not flushed and remains clogged, it can cause significant issues, including the inability to provide nutrition or medications, which could adversely affect the child’s health.
Moreover, flushing should be done with a specified volume of water—usually 5 to 30 mL, depending on the facility’s protocol and the type of tube used. It’s important to use sterile or distilled water to reduce the risk of infection.
In summary, flushing the tubing after medication administration is a critical nursing action that promotes effective medication delivery, prevents tube clogging, and ensures ongoing access for future treatments. Neglecting to perform this step can result in ineffective treatment, increased risk of complications, and additional workload for healthcare providers.