How should the rate be advanced when using a full-strength formula?

How should the rate be advanced when using a full-strength formula?

• A. Increase by 5 mL/hour every 2 hours
• B. Increase by 10-20 mL/hour every 8-12 hours
• C. Increase by 40 mL/hour daily
• D. Keep at the same rate indefinitely

Answer: (B)

When using a full-strength formula, progress the feeding rate gradually to balance meeting nutrition needs with tolerability. Advancing in small, spaced increments lets you watch for signs of intolerance (nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, high residuals, diarrhea) and adjust before problems worsen. The standard approach is to increase by about 10–20 mL per hour every 8–12 hours until you reach the prescribed target. This provides a safe, steady trajectory toward the goal without overwhelming the gut. Increasing by 5 mL/hour every 2 hours is too rapid and frequent; increasing by 40 mL/hour daily is too slow to meet needs promptly; keeping the rate the same indefinitely ignores the goal of meeting energy and protein targets.

When using a full-strength formula, progress the feeding rate gradually to balance meeting nutrition needs with tolerability. Advancing in small, spaced increments lets you watch for signs of intolerance (nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, high residuals, diarrhea) and adjust before problems worsen. The standard approach is to increase by about 10–20 mL per hour every 8–12 hours until you reach the prescribed target. This provides a safe, steady trajectory toward the goal without overwhelming the gut. Increasing by 5 mL/hour every 2 hours is too rapid and frequent; increasing by 40 mL/hour daily is too slow to meet needs promptly; keeping the rate the same indefinitely ignores the goal of meeting energy and protein targets.