For neonates or immunocompromised infants, feeding systems should not be used beyond which time frame?

• A. 2 hours
• B. 4 hours
• C. 8 hours
• D. 12 hours

Answer: (B)

In neonates and immunocompromised infants, infection risk from feeding equipment is high, so feeding systems should not be used beyond four hours. Bacteria can rapidly contaminate tubing, bags, and connectors, increasing the chance of sepsis or other complications; changing the system every four hours minimizes the time available for microbial growth. Using it for only two hours is more restrictive than necessary and can add waste, while extending to eight or twelve hours would elevate the contamination risk in these vulnerable patients.