Question

A nurse is teaching a client how to administer medication through a jejunostomy tube. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. Flush the tube before & after each med.
B. Administer your meds w/your enteral feeding.
C. Administer tablets through the tube slowly.
D. Mix all the crushed meds prior to dissolving in water.

Answer 1

A nurse should instruct a client to flush the jejunostomy tube before and after medication administration, ensure medications don't interact with enteral feeding, finely crush and dissolve tablets in water before use, and avoid mixing all crushed medications together to prevent drug interactions and ensure dosing accuracy.

Step-by-step explanation:

When teaching a client how to administer medication through a jejunostomy tube, a nurse should include the following key instructions:

• Flush the tube before and after each medication to ensure the tube is clear and to prevent interactions between different medications or with residual enteral feeding formula.
• Do not administer medications with enteral feeding unless compatibility has been confirmed, as some medications may interact with the formula or require administration on an empty tube to ensure proper absorption.
• Crush tablets finely and dissolve in water before administering through the tube, ensuring that tablets are suitable for crushing and the resulting solution is well-mixed and free of particles that could clog the tube.
• Avoid mixing all crushed medications together before dissolving in water, as this could cause drug interactions or prevent accurate dosage administration.

Following these guidelines helps ensure medication efficacy and patient safety during the enteric administration of drugs through a jejunostomy tube. Remember to always check medication compatibility and follow specific instructions for each drug.