Which statement is true regarding gastric residual volumes (GRV)?

Which statement is true regarding gastric residual volumes (GRV)?

• A. GRV correlates with the total volume of fluid present in the stomach
• B. Promotility agents should be considered when GRV remain > 250 mL
• C. Small-bore feeding tubes should be used to draw GRV
• D. GRV can be correlated with pneumonia and mortality

Answer: (B)

Gastric residual volume reflects how well the stomach is emptying between feedings and is used to gauge tolerance to enteral nutrition. A high residual suggests delayed gastric emptying and can signal the need to adjust the feeding plan. GRV is not a direct measure of the stomach’s total contents; the amount aspirated depends on technique, recent feeds, and tube position, so it doesn’t reliably indicate the overall volume in the stomach. When GRV remains elevated, it’s reasonable to consider promotility therapy to enhance gastric emptying and reduce residuals, which can help maintain timely feeding. Typical promotility options include metoclopramide or, in certain situations, erythromycin, with attention to possible side effects and contraindications. The other statements don’t fit: GRV doesn’t consistently correlate with the total gastric volume; small-bore tubes are not ideal for obtaining accurate GRV samples compared with other approaches; and GRV alone is not a reliable predictor of pneumonia or mortality, as the relationship with these outcomes is inconsistent.

Gastric residual volume reflects how well the stomach is emptying between feedings and is used to gauge tolerance to enteral nutrition. A high residual suggests delayed gastric emptying and can signal the need to adjust the feeding plan.

GRV is not a direct measure of the stomach’s total contents; the amount aspirated depends on technique, recent feeds, and tube position, so it doesn’t reliably indicate the overall volume in the stomach.

When GRV remains elevated, it’s reasonable to consider promotility therapy to enhance gastric emptying and reduce residuals, which can help maintain timely feeding. Typical promotility options include metoclopramide or, in certain situations, erythromycin, with attention to possible side effects and contraindications.

The other statements don’t fit: GRV doesn’t consistently correlate with the total gastric volume; small-bore tubes are not ideal for obtaining accurate GRV samples compared with other approaches; and GRV alone is not a reliable predictor of pneumonia or mortality, as the relationship with these outcomes is inconsistent.