Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) Practice Exam

Which of the following is considered the preferred form of nutrition in critical illnesses?

1. Application of food into peripheral or central veins

2. Enteral feeding

3. Parenteral feeding

4. Oral nutrition

The correct answer is: Enteral feeding

In critical illnesses, enteral feeding is generally recognized as the preferred form of nutrition. This approach utilizes the gastrointestinal tract to deliver nutrients directly, which helps to maintain its integrity and function. Enteral feeding offers several physiological advantages, including preservation of gut mucosal barrier, reduced risk of infections, and improved metabolic response compared to parenteral feeding. Utilizing the enteral route also allows for a more natural form of nutrient delivery. It supports the use of the gut, which is essential for maintaining a healthy microbiome and can aid in preventing complications such as sepsis or feeding intolerance. Enteral nutrition is associated with fewer complications, such as bloodstream infections or metabolic derangements, when compared to parenteral feeding. In contrast, parenteral feeding is utilized when enteral feeding is not possible or adequate. While it can provide necessary nutrients directly into the bloodstream, it carries a higher risk for complications, including infection and issues related to electrolyte imbalances. Thus, enteral feeding is generally preferred for patients who are able to tolerate it. Oral nutrition, while beneficial when feasible, may not be practical or sufficient in critically ill patients who might have altered consciousness, swallowing difficulties, or other conditions necessitating more controlled forms of nutrition delivery. Therefore