When implementing early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients, which factor is most likely to increase success in moving patients toward target feeding rate?

• A. Use of a gastric feeding
• B. Degree of adherence to physician's orders
• C. Use of an interdisciplinary EN feeding protocol
• D. Combined use of EN and PN

Answer: (C)

An interdisciplinary enteral feeding protocol standardizes how feeds are advanced and managed across the care team, which most reliably helps critically ill patients reach their target feeding rate. By bringing together physicians, nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists, the protocol sets clear criteria for rate increases, anticipates and addresses interruptions, and monitors tolerance consistently, so progression toward the goal happens promptly rather than being delayed by handoffs or gaps in orders. While choosing gastric feeding and adhering to physician orders matter, the protocol creates a systematic workflow that reduces delays and practice variation, accelerating achievement of the target rate. Using parenteral nutrition alongside enteral nutrition is typically reserved for when EN alone cannot meet needs and can complicate delivery rather than hasten reaching the EN target rate.