Tube Feeding Calculations Lecture

Introduction

• Presented by Sarah from RegisteredNurseAriane.com
• Focus on solving tube feeding calculation problems.
• Access to a free quiz for practice after the video.

Key Concepts

• Solve problems related to:
  • Amount of water needed to dilute the feeding formula.
  • Calculating total volume to be administered.
  • Time required for tube feeding administration.
• Use of specific formula and dimensional analysis.

What is Tube Feeding?

• Delivery of nutrition via a tube because the patient cannot consume adequate nutrition orally.
• Types of tubes:
  • Nasogastric Tube: Through the nose to the stomach (e.g., Dobhoff tube).
  • PEG Tube: Surgical insertion through the stomach.

Important Formula

• Formula to Remember:
  • Setup: milliliters in can / X = strength ordered
  • Solve for X to find the total volume.

Example Problems

Problem 1: Calculating Total Volume

• Scenario: Patient ordered Jevity 1.2 Cal, 237 mL can, half-strength at 60 mL/hr.
• Objective: Find total volume of formula to be administered.
• Steps:
  1. Identify relevant data: 237 mL and half-strength (ignore 60 mL/hr as a distractor).
  2. Setup formula: 237 mL / X = 0.5
  3. Solve: Multiply across, divide to isolate X:
     • Total volume = 474 mL

Problem 2: Calculating Water to Add

• Scenario: Same setup as Problem 1.
• Objective: Determine how much water to add.
• Steps:
  1. Solve for total volume (474 mL).
  2. Subtract the original can volume: 474 mL - 237 mL = 237 mL of water needed.

Problem 3: Different Strength

• Scenario: Glucerna 1.5 Cal, 237 mL can, 1/4 strength at 50 mL/hr.
• Objective: Calculate water needed.
• Steps:
  1. Setup formula: 237 mL / X = 0.25
  2. Solve: Total volume = 948 mL
  3. Subtract: 948 mL - 237 mL = 711 mL of water needed.

Problem 4: Time for Administration

• Scenario: Glucerna via NGT, 3/4 strength at 60 mL/hr.
• Objective: Calculate time to administer.
• Steps:
  1. Calculate total volume: 237 mL / X = 0.75
     • Total volume = 316 mL
  2. Calculate time:
     • Use rate: 316 mL / 60 mL/hr
     • Time = 5.27 hours
     • Convert decimal to minutes: 5 hours and 16 minutes.

Conclusion

• Practice with the free quiz.
• Watch other videos in the dosage and calculation series for more practice and learning.