Which of the following statements about the prosthetic device act criteria for HPN coverage is NOT true?

• A. Documented evidence of inability to tolerate feeding through the enteral route
• B. Typically covered for patients with ≤ 5 feet of small bowel beyond the ligament of Treitz
• C. Gastrointestinal losses exceeding 50% of oral intake (2.5 to 3 L/day in and > 1.25 to 1.5 L/day out)
• D. Bowel rest for at least 60 days

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is recognizing criteria that indicate chronic intestinal failure requiring home parenteral nutrition. Eligibility hinges on (1) documented inability to tolerate enteral feeding, (2) very limited remaining small bowel length beyond the ligament of Treitz (often described as a short remaining length), and (3) substantial gastrointestinal losses that exceed what the patient can take in orally, showing that oral/enteral intake cannot meet the body's nutrition and fluid needs. The statement about bowel rest lasting a fixed period (60 days) is not part of these eligibility criteria; simply resting the bowel for a set duration does not establish need for home parenteral nutrition under the prosthetic device act. The other items align with why PN is required: when the gut can't handle feeds and losses are high, intravenous nutrition becomes necessary.