Administration of feed through a tube?

AIIMS Nagpur NO - 2018

Medical Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS Nagpur NO - 2018

Explanation

Gavage is the medical term for administering food and fluids through a nasogastric or orogastric tube.
This method is used when a patient has a functional gastrointestinal (GI) tract but is unable to take food orally.
The procedure, also known as enteral feeding, provides essential nutrients to patients who are unconscious, have swallowing disorders, or are severely malnourished.
The provided image clearly illustrates the process of gavage, where a tube is inserted through the nose into the stomach for feeding.

Option A: Suction is the process of withdrawing or aspirating fluid and gas from the stomach. It is the opposite of administering a feed.
Option C: An enema involves introducing fluid into the rectum and lower colon, not the stomach. It is used to treat constipation or to prepare the bowel for a procedure.
Option D: Lavage means to 'wash out'. Gastric lavage is the procedure of irrigating the stomach to remove ingested toxins or harmful substances.

Visual 1: Diagram - The provided image clearly shows the pathway of a nasogastric tube from the nose to the stomach, correctly labeling the procedure as 'Gavage'.
Visual 2: Infographic - A comparative infographic showing four quadrants, each illustrating Gavage, Lavage, Suction, and Enema, with arrows indicating the direction of flow (in or out) and the body part involved (stomach vs. rectum).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Terminology for Gastrointestinal Procedures as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Ensuring proper nutrition through gavage is critical for patient recovery, wound healing, and maintaining immune function when oral intake is not possible.
A key nursing responsibility before each gavage feeding is to verify tube placement to prevent aspiration, a life-threatening complication where feed enters the lungs. This is done by checking gastric pH or via X-ray confirmation.
What if? If a patient with a feeding tube develops signs of respiratory distress (coughing, shortness of breath), the feeding must be stopped immediately, and the patient assessed for aspiration. This is a medical emergency.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the keywords in the question: 'administration of feed' and 'through a tube'. This points to a nutritional procedure.
Next, carefully examine the provided image. The diagram shows a tube going into the stomach for feeding and is explicitly labeled 'Gavage'. This is a strong clue.
Evaluate each option based on its medical definition. 'Gavage' means feeding through a tube.
Differentiate the correct term from the distractors. 'Lavage' is washing out, 'Suction' is removing contents, and 'Enema' relates to the rectum. These actions do not match 'administration of feed'.
By combining the visual information with the definitions of the terms, you can confidently select the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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