Enteral Feeding (Tube Feeding)

Question 1

Why does eneral products contain only a small amount of soluble fiber?

Answer 1

Because it is hydrophilic (attracts water). Which causes the formula to thicken and form a gel which fiber is added.

Question 2

What type of fiber is most often found in enteral feedings? Why?

Answer 2

Insoluble fiber because it is less hydrophilic then soluble fiber.

Question 3

What is a bolus feeding?

Answer 3

Consists of rapid administration of 250-500 mL of formula several times daily.

Question 4

What is a Intermittent feeding?

Answer 4

Are administered several times daily, over 20 to 30 minutes. A pump is typically used to control the flow rate. If pumps arent available, formula may flow slowly by gravity into the feeding tube from a container suspended above the patient.

Question 5

What are continuous feedings? When are they typically preferred?

Answer 5

Are administered over 8 to 24 hours daily, using a pump to control the feeding rate.

Typically preferred in the acute care setting as GI tolerance is maximized with this delivery. Less time consuming for staff to administer then bolus and intermittent.

Question 6

What is aspiration?

Resulting in?

Answer 6

Occurs when fluid is inspired into the lungs. Patients who are sedated, who have an endotracheal tube (a tube that allows oxygen into the lungs of patients receiving mechanical ventilation), or have difficulty swallowing are at risk for aspiration.

May result in pneumonia or death.

Question 7

How to avoid aspiration?

Answer 7

Important to elevate patients head at an angle of greater than 30 degrees or higher than his or her stomach during feeding.

Question 8

What is refeeding syndrome?

Answer 8

Is a term used to describe several common metabolic alterations that may occur during nutritional repletion of starved patients. Magnesium (hypomagnesemia), potassium (hypokalemia), and phosphrous are most often low.

Question 9

Each can of formula has how many mls?

Answer 9

Each can of tube feeding has 237 mls of formula per can.

250mls = 1 cup

Question 10

1000 ml = how many liters?

Answer 10

1000 ml = 1 liter

Question 11

How many cans of tube feeding is needed at a rate of 70 cc/hour at 24 hours?

Answer 11

70cc/hr = 7 cans

60cc/hr = 6 cans

50cc/hr = 5 cans

40 cc/hr = 4 cans