Which description matches enteral nutrition?

Which description matches enteral nutrition?

• A. Delivery through a tube into the stomach or GI tract
• B. Delivery through a vein
• C. Delivery via inhalation
• D. Delivery through the skin

Answer: (A)

Enteral nutrition uses the gastrointestinal tract to deliver nutrients, typically through a feeding tube placed in the stomach or another part of the GI tract. This description—delivery through a tube into the stomach or GI tract—fits enteral nutrition because it delivers calories and nutrients directly into the gut for digestion and absorption. It’s chosen when the gut is functional but the patient can’t eat or swallow safely, and it helps maintain gut integrity and immune function while usually being safer and more cost-effective than intravenous nutrition. In contrast, delivering nutrients through a vein is parenteral nutrition, and providing nutrients by inhalation or through the skin isn’t a method for delivering nutrition via the GI tract.

Enteral nutrition uses the gastrointestinal tract to deliver nutrients, typically through a feeding tube placed in the stomach or another part of the GI tract. This description—delivery through a tube into the stomach or GI tract—fits enteral nutrition because it delivers calories and nutrients directly into the gut for digestion and absorption. It’s chosen when the gut is functional but the patient can’t eat or swallow safely, and it helps maintain gut integrity and immune function while usually being safer and more cost-effective than intravenous nutrition. In contrast, delivering nutrients through a vein is parenteral nutrition, and providing nutrients by inhalation or through the skin isn’t a method for delivering nutrition via the GI tract.