Patient Education Cancer of the Pancreas: A Care Guide | Page 25

Daily Care of the
Feeding Tube after
Day 3
diet orders, you may also follow
those in addition to the tube feeding.
Remember that you may feel full
faster if you eat close to the time your
tube feeding was given.
Changing from eating meals to being
fed through a tube can be stressful for
you and your family. Family members
can help and support you. Some
people prefer to take the tube feeding
in private. Others prefer to take their
tube feeding with the rest of the
family at mealtime so they can talk
and share one another’s company.
You can choose a time that works
within your own schedule.
There are several ways that tube
feedings can be given:
• Syringe or bolus feeding — only
for G tubes (gastric)
• Gravity drip feeding
• Pump feeding
The method that you will be using
has been chosen to best meet your
needs.
• Use a clean washcloth to clean the
skin around the tube with soap and
warm water. Rinse with clean water
and dry well.
• Let the skin around the tube be
open to the air without a dressing.
• Secure the tube to the skin with
tape. This will keep the tube from
being pulled out at the skin site.
If you are using a special separate
tube holder device, clean the tube site
daily as follows:
• Use cotton-tipped swabs dipped
in warm water to gently clean the
tube site. If there is any crust or
drainage present, you may need to
use several swabs to moisten and
gently remove it all.
• Use a dry cotton-tipped swab
applicator to dry the tube site.
Note: If you have drainage around the
tube due to excess drainage, change
this dressing as soon as it feels wet
to your skin. You do not want a wet
dressing against your skin for very
long, because it could cause damage
to your skin.
Body Position
For all types of feeding, the feeding
should be given while you are sitting
up in a chair or raised up in bed on
several pillows.
• Stay in a raised position for 30 to
60 minutes after the feeding.
• Do not lie flat. If you lie flat too
soon after the feeding, it may
cause nausea and vomiting.
Tube Feeding
Tube feeding is used most often
after surgery to add to your calorie
and nutrient intake — not just to
replace food you are unable to eat.
If the doctor has given you specific
24