Gastric residual quantity refers back to the quantity of fluid remaining within the abdomen throughout enteral diet. A excessive quantity can point out delayed gastric emptying, which can improve the danger of aspiration. Assessing this quantity is a standard apply to observe tolerance of tube feeding. For instance, if a affected person receiving steady feeding has 250 mL of aspirate previous to medicine administration, this quantity turns into a think about deciding whether or not to proceed with the scheduled feeding price.
Traditionally, a specified quantity triggered cessation of enteral feeding to forestall pulmonary aspiration, vomiting, and stomach distension. Whereas extensively practiced, current proof means that holding feeds based mostly solely on arbitrary residual quantity thresholds could not enhance affected person outcomes and might result in underfeeding, doubtlessly compromising dietary standing and delaying restoration. This apply advanced from considerations about aspiration pneumonia, however analysis has challenged its absolute necessity.
