In a scenario where a patient receives oral foods during the day and a night tube feeding is used, which feeding pattern does the night regimen exemplify?

In a scenario where a patient receives oral foods during the day and a night tube feeding is used, which feeding pattern does the night regimen exemplify?

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

Answer: (B)

Cyclic feeding is a pattern where enteral nutrition is delivered during a defined time window each 24 hours, usually overnight, while the patient has oral intake during the rest of the day. This fits the scenario where the tube feed runs at night and daytime is reserved for oral foods, providing nutrition without continuous 24-hour delivery. It differs from continuous feeding, which runs around the clock; from intermittent feeding, which delivers feeds at separate times spread across the day; and from bolus feeding, which involves rapid syringe-administered doses.

Cyclic feeding is a pattern where enteral nutrition is delivered during a defined time window each 24 hours, usually overnight, while the patient has oral intake during the rest of the day. This fits the scenario where the tube feed runs at night and daytime is reserved for oral foods, providing nutrition without continuous 24-hour delivery. It differs from continuous feeding, which runs around the clock; from intermittent feeding, which delivers feeds at separate times spread across the day; and from bolus feeding, which involves rapid syringe-administered doses.