Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Practice Exam

What is defined as Enteral Nutrition?

1. Providing dietary supplements orally only

2. Feeding formulas via mouth or tube into the gastrointestinal tract

3. Nutrition provided through intravenous methods

4. A type of diet focused solely on solid foods

The correct answer is: Feeding formulas via mouth or tube into the gastrointestinal tract

Enteral nutrition refers specifically to the delivery of nutrients directly into the gastrointestinal tract, which can be achieved either through oral consumption or via a tube (such as a feeding tube) for individuals who cannot eat by mouth. This method is essential for meeting nutritional needs when oral intake is insufficient or not possible due to medical conditions, surgery, or other factors. The key aspect of enteral nutrition is that it directly feeds the digestive system, allowing for better absorption of nutrients and maintaining gut integrity. It provides a range of feeding formulas that are tailored to meet specific dietary needs and caloric requirements, ensuring that patients receive essential nutrients in a form that their bodies can utilize effectively. In contrast, other options present alternative methods of nutrition that do not fall under the definition of enteral nutrition. For example, providing dietary supplements orally only does not encompass the use of feeding tubes, intravenous nutrition refers to parenteral nutrition instead of enteral, and focusing solely on solid foods would not include other forms of nutritional intervention provided through liquids or formulas.