Definition: Gavage feeding is a means of providing food via a catheter passed through the nares or mouth, past the pharynx, down the esophagus, and into the stomach, slightly beyond the cardiac sphincter.
Objectives:
a.To provide a method of feeding or administering medication that requires minimal patient’s effort, when the infant is unable to suck or swallow.
b.To provide a route that allows adequate calories or fluid intake.
c.To prvent fatigue or cyanosis that is apt to occur from nipple feeding.
d.To provide a safe method of feeding a limp and listless patient.
Contraindication: Absent bowel sounds
Nursing Alert: Tube feeding are contraindicated to patients without bowel sounds. Administration of feeding solution into an improperly placed tube may cause aspiration of the feeding into the lungs.
Charting:
a.Accurately describe and record procedure, including time of feeding, type of gavage feeding type and amount of fluid given, amount retained or vomited, how the patient tolerated feeding, and activity before, during and following feeding.
b.Observe for readiness of the infant to feed by nipple – note sucking activity and sleep-wake cycle in relation to feeding.
Equipment: Sterile rubber or plastic catheter, stethoscope, tape, feeding fluid, rounded tip, size 5-10 french clear calibrated reservoir for feeding fluid, syringe, water for lubrication, hypoallergenic, pacifier
