The nurse is assessing a client scheduled to undergo insertion of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube. The client asks how a PEG tube differs from a gastrostomy tube (GT). Which explanation best describes the difference?

The nurse is assessing a client scheduled to undergo insertion of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube. The client asks how a PEG tube differs from a gastrostomy tube (GT). Which explanation best describes the difference?

• A. Location of the tubes.
• B. Diameter of the tubes.
• C. Method of insertion.
• D. Procedure for feedings.

Answer: (C)

The key difference is how the access to the stomach is created. A PEG tube is placed using an endoscopic approach: the clinician uses an endoscope to visualize the stomach from inside, then creates a tract through the abdominal wall and passes the tube into place with the endoscopic guidance. A gastrostomy tube is placed through a surgical procedure that opens the abdomen to directly access the stomach and insert the tube. So, while both tubes provide a feeding route into the stomach, one is inserted percutaneously with endoscopic guidance (less invasive), and the other is inserted surgically (more invasive).

The key difference is how the access to the stomach is created. A PEG tube is placed using an endoscopic approach: the clinician uses an endoscope to visualize the stomach from inside, then creates a tract through the abdominal wall and passes the tube into place with the endoscopic guidance. A gastrostomy tube is placed through a surgical procedure that opens the abdomen to directly access the stomach and insert the tube. So, while both tubes provide a feeding route into the stomach, one is inserted percutaneously with endoscopic guidance (less invasive), and the other is inserted surgically (more invasive).