Home Enteral Nutrition Glossary

Adapting to life with tube feeding is easier with the right information. There is much to learn, including complex medical terminology. This glossary of terms is designed to help you understand more about HEN therapy.

Balloon

One of two kinds of devices to keep a gastrostomy or jejunostomy feeding tube from sliding out of the hole (stoma) in the stomach or intestinal wall. It is a small inflatable bag made of a nonporous material. After the feeding tube is placed, the balloon is filled with water.

Bolus or Syringe Feedings

Often, there is a break of several hours between feeds. A bolus is a tube feed that is given like a meal. In this case, a larger amount is given in a short period of time, usually less than 30 minutes. It’s good to know that there are multiple ways to administer bolus feeds.

Bolster

The external part of your tube that sits against your skin and helps to keep the tube in place.

Bumper

A plastic pad that sits against the inside of the stomach wall to keep a gastrostomy or jejunostomy feeding tube from sliding out of the hole (stoma) in the stomach or intestinal wall. It is one of two kinds of devices to keep a feeding tube in position inside the body.

Button/Low Profile Device

A gastrostomy, jejunostomy, or gastrostomy-jejunostomy tube (G-, J-, or G-J tube) that is level with the surface of the skin. Also called a button, low-profile gastrostomy (or G-) tube, low-profile jejunostomy (or J-) tube, or low-profile gastrostomy-jejunostomy (or G-J) tube.

Continuous Feedings

Continuous feeding is done using a feeding pump to deliver a slow and steady amount of formula, over many hours (typically 18-24 hours). When using a GJ-tube or a J-tube, you must use a continuous feeding schedule.

Dysphagia

Problems swallowing food or liquid, usually caused by blockage or injury to the esophagus, neurological conditions, or trauma.

ENFit

The ENFit connector provides a simple way to reduce the risk of enteral tube feeding misconnections and improve patient safety. Addresses “patient side” connections between feeding tubes, administration sets, medication, flush and bolus feeding syringes, and other enteral devices.

Enteral Nutrition

Liquid formula or blenderized diet that is fed through a thin, hollow, flexible tube into the stomach or small intestine.

Farrell Valve Bags

Farrell Bags allow for venting the stomach while feeding. The food and air first passes through the bag, where the air is vented, and the food is then gravity fed back into the stomach.

Flush

Administering water into the feeding tube, usually with a syringe, to clear food, formula, or medication in order to keep it from clogging. It is generally advised to flush both before and after giving medications; however, in infants and children who can only take small amounts, parents often flush only after medications. You always need to flush at the end of a tube feed.

Gastrostomy Tube or G-tube

A thin, hollow, flexible tube that goes through the stomach wall directly into the stomach. It is used to put fluids into the body, such as when administering enteral nutrition, blenderized diet, fluids, and medication. It may also be used to take fluids out of the body, as with venting and decompression, or to drain liquid remaining in the stomach after feeding (see residual volume) or if there is an obstruction or blockage. It may be placed using an endoscope or surgically.

Gravity Feedings

A type of feeding where formula flows out from your feeding bag and into your feeding tube by gravity.

Jejunostomy Tube or J-tube

A thin, hollow, flexible tube that is surgically placed directly into the jejunum. It is used to administer enteral nutrition, fluids, and medication. It may be placed using an endoscope or surgically.

Malabsorption

Inability of the small intestine to absorb nutrients from foods. Malabsorption can result in deficiencies of protein, calories, and vitamins.

Motility/Dysmotility

Motility is the movement of food and liquids through the GI tract. If there is a motility issue, which is referred to as dysmotility, then food isn’t moving through as it should (either too slowly or quickly). There can be dysmotility at any point in the GI tract, from the esophagus all the way to the stomach, intestines, and bowels.

Nasogastric Tube or NG-tube

A thin, hollow, flexible tube that enters the body through the nose and ends in the stomach. It is used to administer enteral nutrition, fluids, and medication.

Nasojejunal Tube or NJ-tube

A thin, hollow, flexible tube that enters the body through the nose and ends in the jejunum, or second part of the small intestine. It is used to administer enteral nutrition, fluids, and medication.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy or PEG Tube

A medical procedure in which a feeding tube is placed using an endoscope. The tube is inserted through the mouth and esophagus into the stomach, then pulled out. through the abdominal wall through an incision created by a physician.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Food and nutrition experts who have met specific educational criteria, completed supervised experiences, passed a national examination, and maintain continuing professional education requirements to earn the RDN credential. Registered dietitian nutritionists work in a wide variety of employment settings, including health care, business and industry, community/public health, education, research, government agencies, and private practice. They provide nutrition therapy counseling, assist in making healthy food choices, teach principles of diet management for specific health and disease conditions, and manage and monitor enteral nutrition. Also called RDN, registered dietitian, and RD.

Residuals

The amount of formula or gastric juices remaining in the stomach. Also called gastric residual or stomach residual.

Stoma

An artificial opening made into the gut or trachea.

Vent/Venting

Venting is letting the air out of the stomach with a feeding tube, usually through an open 60ml syringe.

Connect with Option Care Health

With over 2 million patients receiving Nutrition Support Services and other forms of infusion therapy at home or at the infusion sites, Option Care Health is one of the most successful and experienced outpatient infusion therapy providers. Connect with us to see if there is an infusion site near you or speak to a representative to see if in-home infusion therapy is an option for your patients.