PEG Tube Care (The James)

PEG Tube Care (The James)

 

About your tube

A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube is a flexible feeding tube that is placed through the abdominal wall and into the stomach. This feeding tube is used to give food, fluids and medicines into the stomach.

 PEG tube has two discs to keep the feeding tube from moving, a disc on the inside of your stomach for support and a disc on the outside of your stomach that is close to your skin. The PEG tube is marked with a permanent marker to show where it exits your body and to help you check the tube’s position.

A PEG tube has 2 openings.

  • Main opening: Where tube feedings, fluids and medicines are given. Fluids and gas can also be removed.
  • Side opening: Has a cap and is most often used for flushing.

Name or type of PEG tube: _________________________

Size of PEG tube: ______________

How to care for your tube

Clean the skin around your PEG tube each day. Follow these steps:

  1. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Rinse and dry well with a clean towel.
  2. Gather these supplies:

☐ ointment, if ordered

☐ Cotton swabs

☐ Mild soap and water in a small container

☐ Medical tape

3. Wash your hands again with soap and water.

4. Gently lift the sides of the

disc and check the skin

around the tube. Look for

signs of infection and

check to see if the disc is

too tight or too loose. If

you have these or other

problems, call your

doctor.

5. Clean your skin:

  • Dip a cotton swab in soap and water. Clean the skin under the disc and around the tube.
  • Dip another cotton swab in water. Clean the area again to remove any soap.
  • Use another cotton swab to dry the skin.

6. Apply ointment around the tube with a cotton swab, if ordered.

7. If you have drainage around the tube, place a gauze dressing on top of the disc. Do NOT place the gauze under the disc. Your nurse can show you how to apply this dressing.

8. Gently make a loop with the tube and tape it securely to your abdomen. This helps to prevent the tube from being pulled out.

Call your doctor if you have any of these problems:

Tube changes:

  • Disc is too tight and leaves a mark or dent on your skin
  • Disc is too loose and the tube moves in or out more than 1 inch
  • The tube comes out
  • There is a large amount of leakage around the tube (dressing soaked more than once a day)
  • The tube is clogged and does not flush or the tube feeding will not go through the tube

Body changes:

  • Your skin around tube has signs of infection:
    • Redness
    • Warm to touch
    • Firm to touch
    • Tender
    • More drainage than usual
    • Drainage that smells bad
    • Drainage that is yellow-green in color
  • Fever of 101 degrees F or 38.3 degrees C or higher
  • Bloody or coffee ground colored drainage through the tube
  • A sudden increase or decrease in the amount of drainage through the tube
  • Unusual or sudden weight loss or weight gain (more than 2 pounds a day)
  • Nausea or vomiting that does not go away
  • Constipation with no bowel movement for 3 days
  • Diarrhea of more than 6 loose stools a day
  • Stomach becomes bloated or swollen and tight
  • A stomach residual more than the amount your doctor has set for you

 

© May 5, 2021. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care.

For more health information, call the Patient and Family Resource Center at 614-366-0602 or visit cancer.osu.edu/PFRC