QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH
OUTLINED CORRECT ANSWERS
\Q\.Modular products are used to enhance the nutrient profile of a feeding regimen. Which of
the following combinations represents modular products?
1. Safflower oil, protein, glucose and selenium
2. Glucose, glutamine, water and MCT oil
3. Protein, cholecalciferol, fiber and safflower oil
4. MCT oil, glucose, fiber and protein - ANSWERS✔-4. MCT oil, glucose, fiber and protein
\Q\.Protein powders, carbohydrate powders, fat emulsion, MCT oil, fiber and specific amino
acids are examples of what? - ANSWERS✔-Modular products
\Q\.Are vitamins, minerals and water considered modular products? - ANSWERS✔-No
\Q\.Early initiation of enteral feeding has been suggested to benefit ICU patients by reducing
infectious complications, length of hospital stay and even possibly reducing mortality. Which
group of patients might be at significant risk from early enteral feeding?
1. Cancer patients who underwent surgery of the GIT
2. Patients with increasing vasopressor support
,3. TBI patients with intracranial pressure controlled by hypertonic saline
4. Patients admitted to the hospital with acute on chronic pancreatitis - ANSWERS✔-2. Patients
with increasing vasopressor support
\Q\.What is the risk of feeding a patient before hemodynamic stability has been achieved? -
ANSWERS✔-May increase the risk of intestinal ischemia as blood perfusion of the gut may be
compromised in a patient who is still requiring high doses of vasopressor drugs to maintain
blood pressure
\Q\.When should EN be initiated in the hemodynamically unstable patient? - ANSWERS✔-EN
should be delayed until fluid resuscitation is complete
\Q\.A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may benefit from a feeding
formula containing supplemental
1. arginine
2. glutamine
3. nucleic acids
4. omega-3 fatty acids - ANSWERS✔-4. omega-3 fatty acids
\Q\.Define ARDS. - ANSWERS✔-Acute respiratory distress syndrome - inflammatory response
leading to diffuse alveolar damage and lung capillary endothelial injury.
\Q\.Why are formulas containing omega-3 fatty acids recommended in ALI and ARDS? -
ANSWERS✔-Inflammatory mediators, including prostaglandins and leukotrienes derived from
arachidonic acid metabolism have been implicated in both ALI and ARDS. Formulas containing
omega-3 fatty acids may down regulate the inflammatory response through the production of
less inflammatory prostaglnadins and leukotrienes
,\Q\.What is the evidence for use of omega-3 fatty acids in ARDS and ALI? - ANSWERS✔-Based
on 3 level 1 studies the Guidelines for the Provision and Assessment of Nutrition Support
Therapy in the Adult Critically Ill Patient in 2009 recommended patients with ARDS and severe
ALI be placed on an enteral formulation characterized by an anti-inflammatory lipid profile.
Subsequent to the publication of those guidelines and recommendations have been studies
published in 2011 showing that enteral supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids did not result in
improved biomarkers of inflammation or clinical outcomes
\Q\.The use of enteral nutrition formulas enriched with BCAAs is best used for patients with:
1. cirrhosis
2. hepatic failure
3. liver transplantation
4. refractory encephalopathy - ANSWERS✔-4. refractory encephalopathy
\Q\.What is the theory behind use of BCAAs in hepatic encephalopathy? - ANSWERS✔-There is
believed to be an increased ratio of aromatic amino acids to BCAAs in patients experiencing
hepatic encephalopathy. The decrease in BCAA is suspected to be due to an increased
breakdown in BCAA from skeletal muscles and utilization. The increased levels of AAA generate
false neurotransmitters, resulting in hepatic encephalopathy symptoms.
\Q\.What is the evidence for BCAA enriched amino acid enteral formulas? - ANSWERS✔-
Published randomized trials have shown mixed results in patients with hepatic failure receiving
these specialized formulas. Due to the lack of evidence supporting their use and the increased
cost of such products it has been suggested that the use of these hepatic fomulas be limited to
patients with encephalopathy refractory to standard medical therapy (lactulose, non-absorbed
antibiotics)
\Q\.Enteral nutrition may be contraindicated in the early post-transplant period in adult
patients with hematopoietic cell transplants because of:
, 1. increased incidence of sinusitis with enteral feedings
2. lack of benefit from enteral feedings in allogeneic patients
3. gastrointestinal toxicities related to the conditioning regimen
4. improved survival seen in autologous patients receiving PN - ANSWERS✔-3. Gastrointestinal
toxicities related to the conditioning regimen
\Q\.Why is EN contraindicated in the early post-transplant period in adult patients with
hematopoietic cell transplants? - ANSWERS✔-GI toxicities such as nausea, vomiting, delayed
gastric emptying and diarrhea seen in the first 2-3 weeks post-stem cell transplant may preclude
EN. GI toxicity is most often related to chemotherapy and total body irradiatin, however GI
toxicity may also result from other medications or early acute graft-versus-host disease in this
patient population.
\Q\.Which nutrition therapy is preferred in early post-transplant hematopoietic cell transplant
patients (adult)? - ANSWERS✔-Currently there is insufficient data to establish benefits of enteral
nutrition over parenteral nutrition with hematopoietic cell transplants. In one study, parenteral
nutrition was found to increase survival in allogeneic patients
\Q\.Which of the following medications would be appropriate to crush and deliver via an enteral
feeding tube?
1. Nifedipine XL
2. Metoprolol immediate release
3. Enteric coated aspirin
4. Diltiazem CD - ANSWERS✔-2. Metoprolol immediate release
\Q\.What type of tablets should be crushed for administration via an enteral feeding tube? -
ANSWERS✔-Only immediate release tablets should be crushed fro administration via an enteral
feeding tube.