How should I assess the suitability of a patient for enteral feeding, and what contraindications should I consider?

To assess the suitability of a patient for enteral feeding, healthcare professionals should consider whether the patient is malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, has inadequate or unsafe oral intake, and has a functional, accessible gastrointestinal tract ¹.

Enteral tube feeding should not be given unless these criteria are met, or the patient is participating in a clinical trial ¹.

Patients with a non-functional, inaccessible, or perforated gastrointestinal tract are not suitable candidates for enteral feeding ¹.

Assessment should include confirming the placement of the feeding tube after insertion and before each use, using aspiration and pH testing, or X-ray if necessary ¹.

Contraindications to consider include upper gastrointestinal dysfunction, such as obstruction or perforation, and situations where the gastrointestinal tract is inaccessible or non-functional ¹.