Context Management of enteral tubes for decompression of the stomach, provision of nutrition and administration of medications is a common nursing practice. Enteral nutrition is the preferred method of feeding for patients unable to take oral nutrition. Administration of medications through enteral tubes requires several skills including verifying enteral tube placement and preparing drugs for administration. The preferred method for checking enteral tube placement is by x-ray. This is not always available or practical, and in the absence of x-ray, a combination of methods is suggested,auscultation, however, should not be used. While pH testing is recommended, problems occur when using this method in the critically-ill patients. Phillips and Endacott examined the practices of acute care nurses when administering medication through enteral tubes.
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