In tubefeeding patients, fiber addition has been shown to produce which stool change, although benefits are not consistently observed?

• A. More diarrhea
• B. No change
• C. Less diarrhea and firmer stools
• D. Very loose stools

Answer: (C)

Adding fiber to tube feeds changes stool form by increasing bulk and water-holding capacity in the colon. This bulk helps absorb excess water and slows stool transit, which often leads to softer, more formed stools and can reduce episodes of diarrhea. The observed benefit isn’t guaranteed in every patient because the effect depends on the type and amount of fiber, the patient’s gut function and hydration, and underlying GI conditions. In practice, when fiber is beneficial in tubefeeding, the typical outcome is less diarrhea with firmer stools, whereas options describing more diarrhea, very loose stools, or no change don’t fit the common fiber effect as reliably.