This document discusses enteral nutrition, which involves delivering nutrients directly into the gastrointestinal tract. It can be used when oral intake is not possible for 5-7 days or longer due to issues like inability to eat or impaired intestinal function. Enteral nutrition preserves gut integrity and function. It can be delivered via oral supplements, tubes like nasogastric or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, or direct access methods like jejunostomy. Placement, administration methods, monitoring, and potential complications are outlined. The overall message is that enteral nutrition is generally better tolerated and less costly than total parenteral nutrition when the gastrointestinal tract is functional.
Introduction to enteral nutrition, its definition, and delivery into the gastrointestinal tract.
Conditions necessitating enteral nutrition such as inadequate intake, gastrointestinal obstructions, and critical illnesses.
Preservation of gut function, immunological benefits, and cost-effectiveness compared to total parenteral nutrition (TPN).
Different forms of enteral nutrition including oral dietary supplements, polymeric feeds, and feeding routes (gastric and postpyloric).
Advantages and disadvantages of different feeding methods (gastric vs postpyloric) including ease of placement and risks.
Discussion on risks and complications associated with tube feeds, including gastrointestinal issues and metabolic disorders. Necessary monitoring parameters for enteral feeding regimens including weight, fluid balance, and complications. Final advice on utilizing the gut.
 5-7 daysof inadequate intake
 Expected no intake for 7-9 days
 prolonged anorexia
 Inability to take oral feedings
 Impaired intestinal function
 Critical illnesses
4.
 Intestinal Obstruction
Intestinal Ischaemia/Perforation
 Inability to access the gut.
 Severe acute pancreatitis
 High output proximal fistula
 Shock
5.
 Preserves gutintegrity
 Possibly decreases bacterial
translocation
 Preserves immunological function of
gut
 Better tolerated by patient
 Less costly than TPN
Advantages
 More Physiological
Ease of placement
 Formula osmolarity less problem
Disadvantages
 Delayed gastric emptying
 Gastroesophageal reflux and aspiration
 If tubefeeding is needed for ≤ 4 to 6
wk, nasogastric or nasoenteric is
usually used.
 Tube feeding for > 4 to 6 wk usually
requires a gastrostomy or jejunostomy
tube.
Rate of administration
Gastric feeding
 Standard formula : 50 cc/hr
 Advanced by 25cc/hr every 4-8 hours
until goal rate is made
 Elemental formula :25cc/hr for first
12 hour
 Advanced by 25cc/hr every 6-12 hour
27.
Jejunal or duodenalfeedings
 Standard or elemental feeding at full
strength at 25 cc/hr for first 12 hour
then advanced by 25cc/hr every 6-12
hours.
 Bolus feeding method not used.
28.
Gastric feeds
 Checkresidual volumes every 4 hours
 Hold tube feeding residual greater than
200cc
 Reinfuse residual recheck in 2 hours
 Feeds should be held if increasing
abdominal distention
29.
Jejunal feeds
 Monitorabdomen for distension
 bowel sounds every 4 hours
 Residual volumes are not helpful
 Hold feeds if emesis abdominal pain or
distension