You Are Caring for a Patient with a Gastrostomy Tube

question 22

Multiple Choice

You are caring for a patient with a gastrostomy tube. The patient complains of pain around the tube, and states that the surrounding area has been sore for a few days. Your physical exam reveals red, swollen skin around the G tube that is warm to the touch. You suspect:

• A) an obstruction in the G tube.
• B) an infection at the insertion site.
• C) that the tube has been dislodged.
• D) that the patient is not properly caring for the device.

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Definitions:

Nephron

A kidney tubule and associated capillaries; filters blood and forms urine.

Filtration

A process by which solids are separated from liquids or gases by passing the mixture through a medium that retains the solids.

Reabsorption

The process in the kidneys where nutrients, water, and essential ions are reabsorbed into the bloodstream from filtered fluid.

Secretion

The process by which substances are produced and discharged from a cell or gland.