Safe Oral, Nasogastric, and Enema Administration Techniques
Oral Diet Administration
Materials
- Diet
- Glasses and silverware
- Napkins
- Flexible straws
- Tray
- Absorbent pads
- Towels
- Gloves
Procedures
- Wash hands.
- Check for food allergies.
- Create a peaceful atmosphere during the meal.
- Alleviate pain before meals.
- Preserve user privacy and inform the user.
- Request assistance from the patient and family.
- Ask the user to wash their hands.
- Help the patient into a properly seated or Fowler’s position with head and neck flexed.
- For patients who cannot eat without assistance:
- Manage small amounts for users of advanced age and with neurological disorders.
- Cut food into small pieces.
- Accompany the meal with liquids and offer as requested.
- Provide meals at the proper temperature.
- Perform oral hygiene and hand washing after meals.
- Place the patient in a comfortable position with access to the buzzer and personal items.
- Postpone the food if the patient is fatigued or lacks appetite.
Nasogastric Tube Feeding
Nasogastric tube feeding is a way to take food through a tube that is inserted through the nose and slides into the stomach. The food is in liquid form and contains the same energy value.
- Check for gastric residue.
- Perform this check before each feeding.
- Aspirate carefully the gastric contents into the syringe. If the volume exceeds 50ml, aspirate, re-inject it, and wait an hour before administering the new feeding.
- Wash the nasogastric tube at the end with 50ml of water in adults.
- Items required for nasogastric tube feeding:
- There are 3 forms or methods:
- Gravity
- Syringe
- Pump
Manage the gravity line, and when it is over 1/2 to 1 hour after administration of the food, leave the user in a comfortable position with the call bell within reach, collect materials, and remove gloves.
Materials
- Food
- Syringe
- Gloves
- Connection systems
- Adhesive tape
- Gauze
- Soaked napkins
- Glass of water
- Leak detector
- Prepared foods at ambient temperature
- Stethoscope
- Forceps
Enema Application
Definition
Introduction of a liquid solution into the rectum or colon through the anus with a cannula, with the aim to facilitate the evacuation of stool and gas substances administered rectally to the user.
Equipment
- Gloves
- Wedge
- Water
- Soapy sponge
- Towels
- Absorbent pads
- Enemas
- Dropper stick
- Urological lubricants
- Gauze
- Laundry bags
- Panty diaper
- Clamp
Procedure
Wash hands, preserve the patient’s privacy, wear gloves, and place the patient in the left lateral position. If it is a commercial preparation, introduce the cannula through the anus, previously lubricated with water-soluble anesthetic, and wait 10 minutes. If it is not a commercial preparation, place the enema at a height of 30cm above the anus. Place a soaker below the hips, connect the rectal probe to the irrigation system, bleed the system, and clamp.
The length of the probe that will enter into an adult is 7 to 10 cm. Unclamp the system and manage the solution temperature from 37 to 40ºC. Inform the patient to retain for 5 to 10 minutes. If it is a retention enema, 30 minutes. Contraindications: Enemas cannot be administered to people with myocardial infarction or rectal surgery.
Fecaloma Extraction
Set of activities performed to remove the abnormal accumulation of stool.