Registered Dietitian

Answer: B - The best route of enteral formula administration for an ambulatory patient with impaired gastrointestinal function is continuous drip using a feeding pump. This allows the patient to move about freely as formula is delivered via an enteral route to allow the GI tract to recover normal function. Bolus feeding using a large #16 tube may not be well-tolerated in a patient with impaired GI function. Infusion via a central venous catheter is used to administer TPN, and a PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrotomy) tube is most often used for patients with neurologic problems or facial trauma.