What are the two general routes for enteral feeding?

The correct answer identifies the two general routes for enteral feeding as nasoenteric tubes and ostomies. Enteral feeding involves delivering nutrition directly to the stomach or intestines, bypassing oral intake. Nasoenteric tubes facilitate feeding through a tube that is inserted through the nose, down the esophagus, and into the stomach or small intestine. This method is often used for short-term feeding in patients who cannot eat by mouth.

Ostomies, on the other hand, involve creating an opening (stoma) from the intestine to the outside of the body, allowing for direct access for feeding and nutrient delivery. This route is commonly utilized for patients requiring long-term nutritional support, especially those with gastrointestinal issues that prevent normal digestion.

Other options do not accurately represent enteral feeding routes. Oral intake, while a form of nutrition delivery, is not classified under enteral feeding methods for patients unable to eat normally. Parenteral access refers to intravenous feeding, which is not enteral. Similarly, veins and arteries pertain to vascular access, which is unrelated to nutritional support through the gastrointestinal tract. Pill form and liquid form describe the consistency of medications or nutrients rather than the routes of administration. Therefore, nasoenteric tubes