Chapter 8: Nutrition and fluid balance
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Related theory
Enteral feeding tubes allow direct access to the gastrointestinal tract for the purposes of feeding. A nasogastric or nasojejunal tube is placed via the nose and passed down the oesophagus with the feeding tip ending in the stomach (gastric) or small intestine (jejunum) respectively. A gastrostomy tube is placed directly into the stomach, allowing infusion of nutrients into the stomach or, alternatively, such tubes may have a jejunal extension passing through the pylorus, allowing feeding into the jejunum (small intestine). A jejunostomy tube allows direct access to the jejunum for feeding.
The choice of tube should be based on the method of insertion and the associated risks, the length of time feeding is required, the function of the gastrointestinal tract, the physical condition of the patient and body image issues relating to the visibility of the feeding tube. The feeding regimen, care of the tube and stoma will depend on the enteral feeding tube inserted and should be undertaken within the care of a multiprofessional team (Majka et al. [94], NCCAC [108]).
