What is the appropriate action to take when administering enteral medication after using a tube?

When administering enteral medication via a feeding tube, it is essential to flush the tube with sterile water to ensure that the medication is delivered effectively and to prevent any tube blockage. Flushing with the appropriate volume of sterile water helps clear the tube of any residual medication and provides a means to maintain tube patency.

Flushing the tube with 15 mL of sterile water is considered an adequate and standard practice for this purpose. This volume is typically sufficient to ensure that the medication has been fully cleared through the tube and reaches the stomach or intestinal tract, while also minimizing the risk of contamination and maintaining the integrity of the feeding tube system.

Using either lower or higher volumes may not provide the same assurance of clearing the medication effectively. A smaller volume might not adequately wash out the medication, leading to a potential dose reduction and diminished therapeutic effect. Conversely, excessive flushing could lead to unnecessary fluid administration, which may be contraindicated in certain patients, particularly those on fluid restrictions.

Therefore, flushing the tube with 15 mL of sterile water strikes the right balance to ensure safe and effective medication administration through enteral feeding tubes.