Which factor can contribute to abdominal distention due to air in the gastrointestinal tract during enteral feeding?

• A. Excess air in the stomach or intestines
• B. Infection
• C. Cold formula
• D. Hyperosmolar solution

Answer: (A)

Excess air in the stomach or intestines can lead to abdominal distention during enteral feeding. Air can accumulate when swallowing air (aerophagia) during feeding, or when the feeding setup isn’t purged or vented properly, allowing bubbles to enter the line and become trapped in the stomach and intestines. This trapped gas expands the abdominal cavity and causes distention. In contrast, infection, cold formula, or hyperosmolar solutions don’t cause distention primarily from air accumulation in the GI tract. Addressing venting, line priming, and feeding rate helps minimize excess air and related distention.