Enteral Nutrition: Types and Methods

Study Notes

Enteral nutrition is the delivery of nutrients to the GI tract, keeping the GI system functioning and gastric motility working.
Preferred method of artificial nutrition, especially for short-term feedings.

NG tubes: suitable for short-term feedings.
Percutaneous tubes (e.g., peg tube, G tube, GJ tube): preferred for long-term feedings (> 4 weeks).
Percutaneous tubes reduce skin and esophagus irritation and pressure injuries associated with NG tubes.

Elevate the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees to decrease aspiration risk.
Aspirate gastric contents before each feed to check for residual volume and potential GI problems.
If gastric residual volume is >500mL, do not return it to the stomach and notify the provider.
Flush the tube with 30mL of water before and after every feeding, medication administration, and gastric residual volume checks.
Change tubing and delivery sets every 24 hours to prevent microbial growth.
Refrigerate and discard open cans of formula after 24 hours.

Parenteral nutrition delivers nutrients directly to the bloodstream, circumventing the GI tract.
Requires a central line (PICC line or central venous catheter) for administration.

Monitor glucose levels to ensure the patient is receiving adequate nutrition and to prevent complications.
Discard Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) bags after 24 hours to prevent microbial growth due to bacterial growth in high-glucose solutions.
If the next TPN bag is unavailable, administer 10-20% dextrose in water until it becomes available, following facility policies and orders.

Delivers nutrients to the GI tract, maintaining its function and gastric motility
Preferred method for short-term feedings and when the GI system is functional

NG tubes: suitable for short-term feedings
Percutaneous tubes (e.g., peg tube, G tube, GJ tube): preferred for long-term feedings (> 4 weeks)
Percutaneous tubes reduce skin and esophagus irritation and pressure injuries associated with NG tubes

Elevate the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees to decrease aspiration risk
Aspirate gastric contents before each feed to check for residual volume and potential GI problems
If gastric residual volume is >500mL, do not return it to the stomach and notify the provider
Flush the tube with 30mL of water before and after every feeding, medication administration, and gastric residual volume checks
Change tubing and delivery sets every 24 hours to prevent microbial growth
Refrigerate and discard open cans of formula after 24 hours

Delivers nutrients directly to the bloodstream, circumventing the GI tract
Requires a central line (PICC line or central venous catheter) for administration

Monitor glucose levels to ensure the patient receives adequate nutrition and to prevent complications
Discard Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) bags after 24 hours to prevent microbial growth due to bacterial growth in high-glucose solutions
If the next TPN bag is unavailable, administer 10-20% dextrose in water until it becomes available, following facility policies and orders