Question

differentiate methods of delivery of enteral nutrition

Answer 1

There are several methods to provide the enteral nutrition

1) Continuous : It comprises of continuous administration of feeding 24 hourly .assisted by feeding pump . It's is good for the patient. Prognosis is good. But compliance is bad . Need assistance with the patient all day long.Monitoring of amount is very necessary .It is very much acceptable in critically ill patient to prevent enteral nutrition related complications.muscles synthesis and gastrointestinal secretions are not supportive in this method.

2) Cyclic: it is a method of feeding in which the person is being fed in cycles of less than 24 hours. It puts more pressure on individual digestive system. Monitoring of food is easy. It is more feasible .less time taking. It needs assistance for shorter duration .

3) Intermittent: it is a method of feeding in which the individual is being fed for 20-60 minutes Every 4-6 hour asdiassi by the feeding pump. It is hectic techiqute .It is time taking but considered as best one to feed. It's prognosis is very good. It matches with protein synthesis and gastrointestinal secretions.more beneficial than continuous in critically ill.

4) Bolus method :In this method person is provided nutrition for 4-10 minutes using a syringe or gravity drip which is a exception to it since all the other feeding has been provided using feeding pump.more beneficial than continuous in critically ill patient .But generally carried out in stable patient. Gives good protein synthesis.