A 22-Year-Old Man in the Intensive Care Unit Is Being

A 22-year-old man in the intensive care unit is being evaluated for nutritional needs.  Three days ago, the patient was brought to the hospital after a severe motorcycle collision in which he sustained traumatic brain injury as well as splenic rupture with associated vascular injury.  The patient required multiple abdominal operations and finally underwent delayed fascial closure this morning.  Temperature is 37.1 C (98.8 F) , blood pressure is 128/84 mm Hg, and pulse is 90/min.  The patient is intubated and receiving mechanical ventilation.  The abdomen is mildly distended but soft; the dressing over the incision is clean and dry.  Bowel sounds are decreased.  Which of the following is the best next step for management of this patient's nutrition?

A) Enteral nutrition via feeding tube
B) Intermittent administration of 50% dextrose
C) Intravenous infusion of 5% dextrose in normal saline
D) Total parenteral nutrition via central venous catheter
E) Total parenteral nutrition via peripheral venous catheter

Correct Answer:

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