Why is jejunal feeding delivered by continuous pump?

• A. To minimize diarrhea and abdominal bloating.
• B. To maximize gastric emptying.
• C. To allow bolus administration.
• D. To simplify formula preparation.

Answer: (A)

Delivering feeds into the jejunum relies on controlled, steady delivery to avoid overwhelming the small intestine with a large, osmolar-rich bolus. A continuous infusion with a pump provides a slow, constant rate that minimizes osmotic load spikes, reducing symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal bloating and improving overall tolerance. Since the stomach and gastric emptying aren’t the driving factors for jejunal feeds, maximizing gastric emptying isn’t the goal. Bolus administration is less well tolerated in the jejunum and is not the preferred approach, and formula preparation isn’t a primary reason for using a pump.