Which statement describes bolus tube feeding?

• A. Rapid delivery (10 minutes or less) of 250-400 ml several times per day, infused via syringe into the stomach.
• B. Infused over 20-30 minutes through a pump on a continuous basis.
• C. Overnight infusion via a feeding pump.
• D. Delivered orally.

Answer: (A)

Bolus tube feeding is intermittent, meal-like feeding delivered in short, large-volume boluses rather than a slow, continuous drip. The essence is pushing a relatively large amount of formula quickly into the stomach—typically about 250–400 mL in 10 minutes or less—and doing this several times per day using a syringe connected to the feeding tube. This approach mimics ordinary eating patterns and contrasts with feeding that’s delivered by a pump continuously over many hours or overnight. It’s also distinct from delivering formula orally, which doesn’t involve a feeding tube. Bolus feeding is used when the stomach can tolerate rapid volumes and when a discrete, on‑demand schedule fits the patient’s routine, with attention to monitoring for tolerance and aspiration risk.