Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) Exam. Study with comprehensive multiple-choice questions, gain insights with detailed explanations, and enhance your readiness. Achieve success on your ICM journey!

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What type of feeding involves administering nutrients directly into the stomach or intestines?

Parenteral nutrition
External feeding
Enteral feeding
Oral feeding

The correct answer is: Enteral feeding

Enteral feeding is the correct choice because it specifically refers to the delivery of nutrients directly into the gastrointestinal tract, either through the stomach or intestines. This method is often utilized when a patient cannot consume food orally but still has a functional digestive system. Enteral nutrition can be administered via tubes that may be inserted into the stomach (gastrostomy) or the duodenum (duodenostomy), allowing for nutrient absorption while maintaining the integrity and function of the gastrointestinal tract. In contrast, parenteral nutrition is a different approach that involves delivering nutrients intravenously, bypassing the digestive system entirely. External feeding is not a standard term used in medical practice, and while it may imply feeding from an external source, it does not specify a method related to providing nutrients directly into the gastrointestinal tract. Oral feeding refers to the process of eating food by mouth, which is not applicable when a patient requires alternative feeding methods due to various medical conditions.