G-tube bolus feeding page 3

After the meal

When the bolus feeding is finished:

• Have the syringe ready for flushing.

• Take the feeding bag tube or syringeout of the feeding port. Pinch thetube, and close the cap to avoidbackflow. Keep the tube at or above stomach level.

• Flush the G-Tube withwarm water. Ask yournurse about this.

• Close the cap.

• Keep your loved oneseated or lying down with his head raised for 30 minutes to 1 hour after the feeding.

© Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc., Atlanta, GAFrom The Teaching Book. Use restricted by license agreement.

You may be able to reuse thefeeding bag and tube. Ask the nursehow often they should be replaced.

If you can reuse the bag and tube:

• Wash them in warm soapy water or a vinegar/water solution, and rinse well.

• With the clamp open, hang to air dry.

• Store in a clean, dry place.

30 min. to 1 hour

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G-tube bolus feeding page 2

Using a feeding bag

1. Pour the formula or food into the feeding bag.

2. Let a small amount runthrough the feeding bag tubeto clear out all the air. (Thishelps prevent gas.) The foodshould run through the baguntil it begins to come out the tube.

3. Close the clamp on the feeding bag tube.

4. Place the tip of the feedingbag tube securely into the G-Tube feeding port. Then, open the clamp.

5. Hold the feeding bag abovethe stomach. Let the formulaflow in at a slow rate. You canhang the feeding bag on awall hook to keep it higherthan the stomach. Ask thenurse about other ways tokeep the bag above the stomach.

© Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc., Atlanta, GAFrom The Teaching Book. Use restricted by license agreement.

Continued on next page.

Hold or hang the bag about 18 incheshigher than thestomach. This willhelp reduce cramping.

feedingbag

feedingbag tube

hook

clamp

feedingport

G-Tube

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G-Tube bolus feeding

This type of feeding is for those who are able to feedthemselves or who can handle a large amount of food at one time. It is done 3 or 4 times a day. Most of the time, it takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Before you begin, tell the patient what you are going to do.

The food is poured into a large syringe or a feeding bag with a tube. A clamp on the tube keeps the food fromrunning through the tube until you are ready.

Using a syringe

1. Remove the plunger. Put the tip of the syringe into the G-Tube feeding port.

2. Pour the formula into the syringe.

3. Hold the syringe above the stomach. Let the formula flow in at a slow rate— over 15 to 30 minutes.

© Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc., Atlanta, GAFrom The Teaching Book. Use restricted by license agreement.

Continued on next page.

CAUTIONDo not let the levelof the syringe gobelow the stomach,or the contents willflow backwards.

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