Christopher Jones is a 62-year-old man with a long-standing history of diabetes, the past 20 years as an insulin-dependent diabetic. During the past few months, Christopher has been having increasing...

Christopher Jones is a 62-year-old man with a long-standing history of diabetes, the past 20 years as an insulin-dependent diabetic. During the past few months, Christopher has been having increasing difficulty with eating. At first, he noticed that he felt full almost immediately and then nausea began in waves, eventually resulting in vomiting. He began to lose weight and have trouble controlling his blood glucose levels, experiencing more frequent bouts of hypoglycaemia. He visited his health care provider, and after an upper GI series, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and a gastric emptying study, Christopher was diagnosed with gastroparesis diabetic rum. His provider has told him that it is most likely due to his diabetes and may be temporary. He has been started on a prokinetic drug (metoclopramide [Reglan]) and erythromycin in an attempt to increase gastric emptying. The provider inserted a jejunostomy tube for feedings until the outcomes of drug therapy can be determined. Christopher has returned on his first postoperative visit to the provider’s office and will need teaching about his feeding tube.

1. Christopher wants to know if he can still eat foods “normally.” Give a rationale for your answer.

2. Christopher does not know how to take care of his tube and wants to know if any special care is required. What would you teach him?