What is a jejunostomy tube?

A jejunostomy tube is specifically a feeding tube that is surgically inserted into the jejunum, which is the middle section of the small intestine. This type of tube is often utilized for individuals who cannot take in food orally due to various medical conditions, such as swallowing difficulties, gastrointestinal obstruction, or severe neurological impairment. By placing the tube directly into the jejunum, nutrition can be delivered directly to the small intestine, promoting absorption and minimizing the risk of aspiration into the lungs.

The choice of this option highlights the unique function of a jejunostomy tube compared to other types of tubes, which serve very different purposes in medical practice. Surgical drainage tubes are typically used for the evacuation of fluid collections, bile drainage tubes are specific to the biliary tract, and urinary catheters are designed for monitoring and draining urine. Each of these serves a distinct function, but the jejunostomy tube’s primary role as a feeding mechanism in the small intestine is what makes it the correct answer in this context.