Republic of the Philippines

CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES

Nabua, Camarines Sur

COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Name: ___________________________________________ Grade: _________

Year & Section: ____________________________________ Date: __________
Group No: ________________________________________

PROCEDURE CHECKLIST

ADMINISTERING A TUBE FEEDING

Definition
- is an artificial method of giving fluids and nutrients through a tube, that has passed into the esophagus
and stomach through the nose or mouth when oral intake is inadequate or impossible.

Purposes/Indications

1. When the client is unable to take food by mouth.

2. For a client who refuses food.
3. When condition of mouth or esophagus make the swallowing difficult or impossible.
4. When the client is too weak to swallow food or when the conditions make it difficult to take a large
amount of food orally.
5. When the client is unable to retain the food.

Equipment
• Sterile gloves
• 3cc and 10 cc syringes
• Kidney basin
• Medicine tray
• Medicine cup
• Expressed breast milk
• Stethoscope

PROCEDURE DONE NOT Remarks

DONE
1. Check the physician’s order for feeding. Check amount,
concentration, type, and frequency of tube feeding on
patient’s chart.
2. Explain procedure to patient/parent/s. Encourage the
parents to be involved as possible, they may hold their
newborn, provide skin to skin care or allow to position
the newborn close to her nipple, (this may encourage
progression to breast feeding and bonding).
3. Gather necessary equipment.
4. Position patient with head of bed elevated at least 30
degrees or as a near normal position for eating as
possible.
5. Perform handwashing. Dry hands. Wear gloves.
6. Check that the tube is still secure (tape is not loosened),
and that the length of the tube at the nostril/mouth is the
same as when it was introduced. (Check tube
placement/position before every feeding.)
7. Attach the syringe to the end of the feeding tube.
• Push 2-3 cc of air into the stomach while listening over
the newborn’s stomach with a stethoscope. Gently
aspirate air before commencing feed.

Remove the syringe.

 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES
Nabua, Camarines Sur

COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

8. Attach the empty syringe barrel to the feeding tube. Pour

a measured amount of milk into the syringe.
9. Hold the syringe above the level of the newborn. Refill
syringe until all the required amount has been given.
10. Remove the syringe and close the end of feeding tube.
Observe for feeding intolerance. Facilitate burping.
11. Remove the gloves. Discard. Perform handwashing.
12. Document date and time of feeding, tolerance of
procedure, description/ pH of aspirate, amount of feed,
any vomiting etc.

______________________________________
Clinical Instructor