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If you are a caregiver for someone who has a Gastrostomy Tube there are some basic duties and tasks that need to be performed. On this page, you can learn how to administer medication through a G-Tube.

Maintain Standard Precaution for G-Tube Related Tasks

Before beginning any G-Tube related tasks, make sure to do at least one of the following:

  • Wear gloves
  • Wash hands for at least 20 seconds
  • Use hand sanitizer and rub until dry
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Step 1 - Gather Supplies

  • Normal saline or tap water
  • 10 mL syringe for medication (or the size needed for the prescribed amount)
  • 10 mL syringe for saline or tap water
  • G-Tube extension tubing
  • Medication
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Step 2 - Prime the Extension Tubing Line

  • Fill one of the syringes with 10 mL of saline or tap water
  • Close the clamp of the extension tubing and attach the syringe to the port
  • Unclamp the line
  • Place the end of the tubing over a basin or sink
  • Push the saline or tap water through the tubing until there is no air in the line
  • Reclamp the tubing
  • Detach the syringe from the tubing
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Step 3 - Administer the Medication

  • Attach the extension tubing to the MIC-KEY button and lock it in place
  • Reclamp the line
  • Fill the medication to the doctor’s prescribed amount in the unused 10 mL syringe
  • Attach the syringe to the extension tubing port
  • Unclamp the line
  • Administer the medication
  • Reclamp the line when finished
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Step 4 - Flush the Line

  • Pull up an additional 10 mL of saline or water in your first syringe (can do 5 mL if you will be administering more than one medication)
  • Remove the medication syringe and replace it with the water-filled syringe
  • Unclamp the line and push through the 10mL of saline or water
  • Reclamp the line after all the medication has been pushed through the tubing
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Additional Information:

  • Repeat steps 3 and 4 if you are administering more than one medication
  • After administering all medications and the final round of water or saline, you can remove the syringe from the extension tube and the extension tube can be unlocked and removed from the MIC-KEY button
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