Gastric residual volume guidelines indicate feedings should not be stopped for volumes less than how many ml unless there are signs of intolerance?

• A. 500 ml.
• B. 200 ml.
• C. 100 ml.
• D. 750 ml.

Answer: (A)

Gastric residual volume is used to gauge how well the stomach is emptying and whether a patient tolerates tube feeds. If the residual is under 500 ml, feeding is typically continued unless there are other signs of intolerance such as vomiting, abdominal distension, or changes in bowel function. This 500 ml threshold reflects a practical cut-off that allows nutrition to proceed while keeping an eye on potential intolerance. Higher residuals, like 750 ml, would prompt reconsideration of the feeding plan, whereas much smaller residuals (e.g., 200 ml or 100 ml) would generally be tolerated under many protocols, but the guideline in question uses 500 ml as the point at which you would stop only if intolerance signs appear.