Word parts
What it means
Describes anything that goes in through the gut. Enteral nutrition is liquid food given through a tube into the stomach or small intestine, and enteral drugs are those swallowed or given by tube. It is the opposite of parenteralpuh-REN-ter-ulGiven by a route other than the digestive tract, usually by injection or into a vein.para- beside, apart fromenter/o intestine-al relating toFull entry , which means a route that skips the gut, such as IV or injection.
For the nurse
When the gut works, enteral feeding is usually preferred over IV nutrition because it keeps the gut healthy and has fewer infection risks. Check tube placement before giving anything by tube, and keep the head of the bed at 30 degrees or higher.
In a chart
"Enteral feeding running at 50 mL/hr; head of bed at 35 degrees."
At a glance
| Spanish | enteral |
|---|
Easy to confuse with
parenteral
Given by a route other than the digestive tract, usually by injection or into a vein.
Related terms
enter/o
A word part that means intestine, usually the small intestine.
total parenteral nutrition
Complete nutrition given as a liquid straight into a vein instead of through the digestive tract.
parenteral
Given by a route other than the digestive tract, usually by injection or into a vein.
enteral feeding tube
A tube placed into the stomach or small intestine to give liquid food, water and drugs to a person who cannot eat enough by mouth.