Which statement is NOT a reason to flush water around each medication during enteral administration?

Which statement is NOT a reason to flush water around each medication during enteral administration?

• A. Prevent drug-drug and drug-nutrient interactions
• B. Prevent tube occlusion
• C. Prevent drug-nutrient interactions
• D. Change the formula's caloric density

Answer: (D)

Flushing around medications serves to keep medications separate from the feeding formula, prevent interactions, and protect tube patency so each dose is delivered properly. The reason that changes in the formula’s caloric density is not a justification is that water flushes contain no calories and do not alter the formula’s energy concentration. Caloric density is a property of the feeding formula itself, not something changed by flushing. So D is not a reason to flush.

Flushing around medications serves to keep medications separate from the feeding formula, prevent interactions, and protect tube patency so each dose is delivered properly. The reason that changes in the formula’s caloric density is not a justification is that water flushes contain no calories and do not alter the formula’s energy concentration. Caloric density is a property of the feeding formula itself, not something changed by flushing. So D is not a reason to flush.