Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Tube feeding refers specifically to enteral feeding provided through a tube, which is used to deliver nutrition directly to the stomach or intestines. This method is often necessary for patients who are unable to consume food orally due to various medical conditions, such as swallowing difficulties, certain neurological disorders, or post-surgery recovery.

The procedure involves the use of a flexible tube inserted either through the nose (nasogastric tube), through the abdominal wall (gastrostomy tube), or other methods to ensure that the patient receives adequate nutrition. Tube feeding allows for the administration of a precise mixture of nutrients that can be tailored to the individual’s dietary needs.

The other options refer to feeding practices that do not involve the use of a tube, such as oral feeding with nutritional supplements or the ingestion of food through straws, which are not classified as tube feeding. Additionally, relying solely on solid foods does not align with the definition of tube feeding, as it excludes any form of liquid nutrition that is typically incorporated in tube feeding solutions.