Which method is preferred for nutrition delivery in a patient with an intact gastrointestinal system who requires extended feeding?

The preferred method for nutrition delivery in a patient with an intact gastrointestinal system who requires extended feeding is through enteral feeding via a nasogastric small-bore tube. This approach is favorable because it utilizes the patient’s functioning gastrointestinal tract, allowing for nutrient absorption in a manner that closely resembles normal eating patterns.

Enteral feeding supports physiological gut function, helps maintain the integrity of the mucosal barrier, and can reduce the risk of complications associated with total parenteral nutrition, such as infections or metabolic derangements. The small-bore design of the tube ensures that it can be well-tolerated and minimizes discomfort for the patient while allowing for the administration of a properly balanced nutritional formula directly into the stomach or small intestine.

In contrast, central line access is more invasive and often reserved for patients who cannot tolerate enteral feeding or require total parenteral nutrition. Peripheral intravenous (PIV) lines typically support short-term fluid administration or medications rather than extended feeding. Gastrostomy tubes, while suitable for long-term nutrition in patients who cannot swallow or have long-term feeding needs, are invasive and typically used for patients requiring feeding support over more prolonged periods than a small-bore nasogastric tube might accommodate.