Describe intermittent feeding.

• A. Intermittent feedings are commonly delivered by enteral pump or gravity drip method over a period of 20-60 minutes 4-6 times daily
• B. Feedings are infused over a short period of time, over as few as 4-10 minutes
• C. Deliver formula from an administration set into the feeding tube via an enteral pump to guarantee a continuous rate
• D. Similar to the continuous infusion method...

Answer: (A)

Intermittent feeding involves giving a fixed volume of formula in discrete sessions at set times rather than a constant, continuous drip. The typical approach uses an enteral pump or gravity to deliver each session over about 20 to 60 minutes, with four to six feedings spaced through the day. This creates regular meal-like events that allow the gut to process the nutrition and fit into a patient’s daily routine. Shorter, very rapid infusions (4–10 minutes) describe a rapid bolus-type delivery, which is not the standard description of intermittent feeding. Continuous infusion, by contrast, delivers formula at a steady rate around the clock, which is why it’s not described as intermittent.