Amino Acids
The building blocks of proteins, sometimes referred to as Pre-digested or Hydrolysed proteins.

Aspiration
A procedure used to determine the position of the end of the tube. It is also a term to mean removing feed from the lungs by suction.

Bolus Feeding
A prescribed volume of feed given slowly via a syringe at a specific time.

Buried Bumper Syndrome
A rare complication which occurs when the PEG tube migrates between the stomach wall and the skin.
 

Catheter
A fine hollow tube used to introduce fluid into a vein. Referred to by the manufacturers’ name e.g. Broviac or Hickman

Catheter Hub
The part of the catheter which connects to the giving set or catheter cap.

Continuous feeding
A method of administrating feed from the reservoir into the gastrointestinal tract over a continuous length of time. A pump is usually used.

Dehydration
The excessive loss of water and salts essential for normal body functioning.

Dumping Syndrome
A set of symptoms caused by the rapid delivery of food/feed into the GI tract.

Dyphagia
Difficulty swallowing.

Electrolyte
A chemical that conducts electricity when dissolved and maintains the homeostasis (balance) of the body, regulating cardiac and nerve functions, fluid balance and oxygen transport.

Electrolyte
Mineral which conducts chemical energy when dissolved in water e.g. Sodium, Potassium, Chloride.

Emulsification
The mixing of two substances which are not normally mixable with the use of a substance that can mix with each.

Entry Site
The place where your catheter is inserted into the vein.

Exit Site
The place where the catheter comes through the skin (and is covered by a dressing).
NB. Some catheters are implanted and the exit site will be just under the skin.

Fistula
An abnormal opening between 2 organs, or between 1 organ and the skin.

Fistula
An abnormal opening between 2 organs, or 1 organ and the skin.

Flush
Administering a small volume of water through th tube to clean it after you have used it to deliver your feed or drugs.

Gastrostomy Tube
A tube inserted directly into the stomach through the abdominal wall – also referred to as enterostomy tubes.

Giving Set
Plastic tubing used to connect the container to your tube (sometimes called the delivery or administration set)

Giving Set
Specifically designed tubing to connect the feed container to your catheter.

Guidewire
A removable, fine wire which runs through the lumen of the feeding tube to assist in its placement. It is removed once the position of the tube has been verified.

Haematocrit
Volume of the blood that is composed of red blood cells. A high Haematocrit indictates dehydration.

Hyperglycaemia
A high blood sugar level

Hypoglycaemia
A low blood sugar (also called a ‘hypo’)

Ileus
Paralysis of at least part of the GI tract.

Infusion
The process whereby fluid is delivered into the vein.

Intravenous
Going directly into a vein.

Jejunostomy Tube
A tube inserted directly into the jejunum (part of the small intestine)

Litmus Paper
Used to confirm the feeding tube is in the correct position.

Naso-duodenal tube
A tube passed through the nose and down to the duodenum (part of the small intestine) to enable feeding to bypass the stomach.

Naso-gastric
A tube passed through the nose and down into the stomach – also referred to as nasoenteric tubes

Naso-jejunal tube
A tube passed through the nose and down into the jejunum (the second part of the small intestine), thus bypassing the stomach and the duodenum.

Ostomy
A surgically created opening.

Parenteral
“to eat via a vein” (literal translation)

PN/TPN/HPN
Parenteral nutrition /Total parenteral nutrition /Home parenteral nutrition – when all or some of the nutrients or fluids needed are delivered directly into the bloodstream.

Refeeding Syndrome
A condition which can occur during feeding after illness when there has been limited or no oral intake. Known to be caused by a shift in metabolic activity and required immediate medical treatment.

Reflux
‘Burp-back’

Reservoir
Glass or plastic container used for the feeding solution.

Saline
Salt solution.

Septicaemia
A widespread infection carried in your bloodstream.

Short Bowel Syndrome
Resulting from the removal of a portion of the small intestine, with characteristic symptoms; including impaired digestion & absorption.

Tolerance
The degree to which symptoms arise from an infusion of formula.