What type of feeding route is used in the administration of parenteral nutrition when the GI tract cannot be used?

Parenteral feeding is the correct answer because it refers to the delivery of nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the gastrointestinal (GI) tract entirely. This method is essential for patients who are unable to use their GI tract due to conditions such as severe gastrointestinal disorders, surgeries, or other medical issues that prevent normal digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Parenteral nutrition provides all the necessary macronutrients and micronutrients through an intravenous solution, ensuring that the patient receives the required nutrition for growth, healing, and recovery, even when oral or enteral routes are not an option. This is particularly crucial in maintaining nutritional status in critically ill patients or those with malabsorption syndromes.

In contrast, enteral feeding involves delivering nutrients directly to the GI tract, oral feeding utilizes the mouth for nutrition intake, and nasogastric feeding also relies on the GI tract, as it delivers food via a tube inserted through the nose into the stomach. Therefore, these options do not address situations where the GI tract cannot be utilized, making parenteral feeding the appropriate choice.