G-Tube Flush Administered Incorrectly by Syringe Plunger
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a licensed practical nurse (LPN) failed to administer a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) flush by gravity for a resident during medication administration. The LPN prepared the resident's medications by crushing each pill and diluting them in water, then placed the G-tube syringe into a medication cup, drew up 30 cc of water, and pushed the water down the G-tube using the syringe plunger, rather than allowing it to flow by gravity as required. The remaining medications and flushes were administered by gravity. The LPN later acknowledged that the G-tube flush should have been administered by gravity, in accordance with the facility's policy, which specifies that water and medications should be allowed to flow down the tube via gravity.