Certified Ostomy Care Nurse (COCN) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Using hydrogen peroxide at a gastrostomy tube site can lead to hyperplasia, which is an abnormal increase in the number of cells in the tissues around the site. Hydrogen peroxide is often used for its antiseptic properties; however, its application can damage healthy tissue and cause irritation. This irritation can stimulate cellular proliferation as the body attempts to heal the area, potentially leading to hyperplastic tissue formation around the gastrostomy tube.

In contrast, other complications associated with gastrostomy tube care, such as infection, stenosis, and hemorrhage, can be influenced by various factors, including the care technique, the presence of foreign material (in this case, the tube), and individual patient responses. While these complications are significant concerns, hydrogen peroxide's specific mechanisms of action and its impact on tissue integrity are more closely aligned with the development of hyperplasia in the context of this scenario.