Which of the following describes a feeding method where the infusion is delivered in cycles, with pauses between cycles?

• A. Bolus feeding
• B. Cyclic feeding
• C. Intermittent feeding
• D. Continuous infusion

Answer: (B)

This item tests how enteral feeding schedules work, specifically the pattern of delivering nutrition in defined blocks with breaks. Cyclic feeding delivers the prescribed infusion over a set period, then pauses before starting again. This creates repeating cycles that can run overnight or during a portion of the day, providing rest periods for the gut and allowing activity or oral intake during the off periods. A common example is delivering the feed over 8–12 hours at night with a 12–16 hour pause, then repeating the cycle daily.

This differs from continuous infusion, which never pauses and runs 24 hours a day. It also differs from bolus feeding, which injects a relatively large amount quickly in a short time, and from intermittent feeding, which provides specific feedings over short durations at separate times but without the regular, extended pauses that define a cyclic pattern. The “cycles with pauses” phrasing is the distinguishing feature that points to cyclic feeding.