- Continuous drip or cyclic infusion, 50–125 mL infused per hour at a slow
rate over a 24-hour period using an infusion pump such as a Kangaroo set.
This method is used for treating critically ill patients and for patients who
have a feeding tube in their small intestine or in the stomach.
Enteral feedings expose the patient to complications. These are:- Dehydration. An insufficient amount of water is given to the patient or a
hyperosmolar solution is given, which draws water from the cells to main-
tain serum iso-omolality. - Aspiration. The patient is fed while in a supine position or is unresponsive.
Prevent this by raising the head of the bed 30° and check for gastric resid-
uals by gently aspirating the stomach contents before the next feeding. - Diarrhea. A major complication due to rapid administration of feeding, the
high caloric solution, malnutrition, GI bacteria (Colstridium difficile), and
medications such as antibiotics and magnesium containing drugs such as
antacids and sorbitol. Sorbitol is a used as a filler for certain drugs. Drugs
in the form of oral liquids are hypersomolar and pull water from the cells
and into the GI tract resulting in diarrhea. Decreasing the infusion rate,
diluting the solution, changing the solution, discontinuing the medication,
or increasing daily water intake helps to manage diarrhea.
Table 11-1 contains commonly used preparations for enteral feeding.CHAPTER 11 Nutritional Support Therapies^187
Category Supplement Comment
Blenderized Compleat B (Sandox) Blended natural foods
Formula 2 (Cutter) Ready to use
Vitaneed (Sherwood)
Polymeric milk-based Meritene (Sandox) Provides nutrients that are intact
Instant Breakfast (Carnation) Pleasant tasting oral supplement
Sustacal Power (Mead Johnson)Table 11-1. Commonly used preparations for enteral feeding.