Nutrition: enteral feeding: practice question

A General Surgery question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Surgery · Nutrition: enteral feeding

Sample item

In a patient with a functioning gastrointestinal tract who cannot meet nutritional needs orally after surgery, which route is generally preferred?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Enteral nutrition

When the gastrointestinal tract is functional, enteral nutrition is generally preferred because it supports gut integrity and has fewer catheter-related risks than parenteral nutrition. The route and timing are individualized.

Option by option

  • A. Total parenteral nutrition as first choice in every case

    Parenteral nutrition is reserved when enteral feeding is not possible or insufficient.

  • B. No nutrition for two weeks

    Prolonged starvation worsens catabolism and recovery.

  • C. Enteral nutrition (correct)

    Correct. Enteral feeding uses the functional gut and is usually preferred.

  • D. Intramuscular glucose only

    Intramuscular glucose cannot provide complete nutritional support.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is C, Enteral nutrition. When the gastrointestinal tract is functional, enteral nutrition is generally preferred because it supports gut integrity and has fewer catheter-related risks than parenteral nutrition.

Why is "Total parenteral nutrition as first choice in every case" not the answer?

Parenteral nutrition is reserved when enteral feeding is not possible or insufficient.

Why is "No nutrition for two weeks" not the answer?

Prolonged starvation worsens catabolism and recovery.

Why is "Intramuscular glucose only" not the answer?

Intramuscular glucose cannot provide complete nutritional support.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition: enteral feeding in General Surgery. The route and timing are individualized.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Nutrition: enteral feeding?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.