Which feeding method allows meeting nutrient goals with an infusion period less than 24 hours, down to as few as 8 hours?

Which feeding method allows meeting nutrient goals with an infusion period less than 24 hours, down to as few as 8 hours?

• A. Bolus feeding
• B. Intermittent feeding
• C. Continuous feeding
• D. Cyclic feeding

Answer: (B)

The key idea is delivering enteral nutrition within a defined, finite infusion window. Intermittent feeding achieves this by delivering feeds in multiple short sessions (often 15–60 minutes each) spread through the day. By concentrating those sessions, you can meet total daily nutrient goals within a block shorter than 24 hours—potentially as short as 8 hours—without keeping a continuous infusion running all day. This flexibility distinguishes it from continuous feeding, which typically runs over a full 24 hours, and from systems designed specifically for overnight cycling, which are set to a fixed overnight window. Bolus feeding is a rapid dose at a few times daily and doesn’t inherently optimize meeting the daily goals within a compact window.

The key idea is delivering enteral nutrition within a defined, finite infusion window. Intermittent feeding achieves this by delivering feeds in multiple short sessions (often 15–60 minutes each) spread through the day. By concentrating those sessions, you can meet total daily nutrient goals within a block shorter than 24 hours—potentially as short as 8 hours—without keeping a continuous infusion running all day. This flexibility distinguishes it from continuous feeding, which typically runs over a full 24 hours, and from systems designed specifically for overnight cycling, which are set to a fixed overnight window. Bolus feeding is a rapid dose at a few times daily and doesn’t inherently optimize meeting the daily goals within a compact window.