Preventing complications of PEG tubes.

Patients in critical care units are at risk for an altered nutritional status related to the increased nutritional demands of illness and the fact that many patients are unable to eat for a variety of reasons. The percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube is an alternative to gastrostomy tube placement to provide nutritional support to the critically ill patient, yet some complications can occur. This article reviews nursing interventions that decrease complications for the patient with a PEG tube.