NU141CL- Administering Medications via a Gastric Tube

The nurse is educating a preoperative client about gastric tubes. The client asks, "Why do I need to have a gastric tube?" How should the nurse respond?

"To help you consume sufficient nutrition."

The nurse is administering medications to a client via a gastric tube. After administering the last dose of medication, how much water should the nurse flush through the gastric tube?

30 to 60 mL

The client is to receive several medications via a gastric tube. How much water would the nurse flush the tube between the medications?

5 to 10 mL

The nurse is required to give a prescribed medication via a gastric tube. The medication is available in tablet form. What should the nurse do first?

Check the drug administration guide to see if the medication can be crushed.

The nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client with a gastric tube. What is the best way to determine which medications can be crushed?

Check the drug guide.

The client with a gastric tube is prescribed a delayed-release tablet. Which are appropriate actions for the nurse? Select all that apply.

Check the drug guide., Hold the medication., Call the health care provider for prescription.

The nurse is educating a family of a client with a gastric tube about administering medications. What would be appropriate to include? Select all that apply.

Enteric-coated tablets cannot be ground., Delayed-response tablets cannot be ground., All ground powder must be mixed with tap water., Tablets must be ground to a fine powder.

The nurse cares for a client with a gastric tube in place. Which actions does the nurse perform? Select all that apply.

Give liquid stool softener and crushed pain medication through the tube as needed., Insert a large syringe to decompress the stomach when the client reports nausea., Administer one can of nutritional formula every 4 hours as prescribed.

The nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client with a gastric tube. What equipment will the nurse gather to administer medications to the client? Select all that apply.

Irrigation set, Gloves, Waterproof pad, Tap water

The nurse is caring for a client with a gastrointestinal bleed who has a nasogastric (NG) tube. After administering the medications via the NG tube, what would the nurse do next?

Shut off nasogastric tube for 30 minutes.

The nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client with a gastric tube. What information should the nurse check before administering any medication through the gastric tube? Select all that apply.

whether tube feedings should be held, client's allergies, if medication should be given on full or empty stomach