Which statement best describes continuous feedings?

Which statement best describes continuous feedings?

• A. Administered in bolus doses every hour
• B. Delivered in cycles with breaks
• C. Administered as a fixed amount every 12 hours
• D. Delivered at a prescribed rate without interruption

Answer: (D)

Continuous feedings are administered at a constant, prescribed rate without interruption, typically using an infusion pump over an extended period (often 16–24 hours). This approach delivers a steady amount of nutrition, helping with tolerability and reducing fluctuations in gastric load that can occur with larger, intermittent doses. The other patterns describe non-continuous regimens: bolus dosing delivers small, discrete volumes at intervals; cycles with breaks provide feedings in bursts with planned pauses; and a fixed amount every 12 hours delivers feeding only at set times with long gaps between administrations.

Continuous feedings are administered at a constant, prescribed rate without interruption, typically using an infusion pump over an extended period (often 16–24 hours). This approach delivers a steady amount of nutrition, helping with tolerability and reducing fluctuations in gastric load that can occur with larger, intermittent doses. The other patterns describe non-continuous regimens: bolus dosing delivers small, discrete volumes at intervals; cycles with breaks provide feedings in bursts with planned pauses; and a fixed amount every 12 hours delivers feeding only at set times with long gaps between administrations.