Which tube feeding order best reflects an intermittent schedule?

• A. 50 mL/hr over 24 hours
• B. 240 mL administered over 45 minutes, five times per day
• C. 100 mL/hr over 12 hours
• D. 120 mL administered over 15 minutes one time per day

Answer: (B)

Intermittent tube feeding is delivered as discrete bolus doses at specific times during the day, resembling separate meals with pauses in between. The schedule that fits this pattern involves multiple feedings, each delivered over a short period. Administering 240 mL over 45 minutes, five times per day provides several distinct bolus feeds, which aligns with intermittent delivery.

The other patterns depict continuous infusion or a single bolus. A and C represent a constant rate over many hours, which is continuous rather than intermittent. D is only a single bolus once per day, not repeated throughout the day, so it does not reflect intermittent feeding.