[Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG): overview and nursing care].

The dramatic increase in the elderly population in Taiwan has made dysphagia an increasingly prevalent problem in long-term care. While tube feeding is mandatory for patients unable to take food orally, this approach increases recurrent aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition risks. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is currently the most effective and prevalent approach to enteral nutrition. This article introduces the definition, indications, contraindications, complications, advantages and disadvantages of PEG and its clinical nursing care protocols. The author hopes that this narrative description of a nurse's experience providing appropriate nursing care to a PEG patient will help enhance reader understanding of PEG care.