Which of the following feeding routes is considered safer for patients at risk of aspiration?

Jejunostomy is considered the safest feeding route for patients at risk of aspiration because it bypasses the stomach and allows for direct delivery of nutrition into the jejunum, the middle segment of the small intestine. This method significantly minimizes the risk of aspiration, which can occur when food or liquids are inhaled into the lungs instead of being properly swallowed into the esophagus.

In patients who have conditions that increase the likelihood of aspiration, such as dysphagia or decreased level of consciousness, jejunostomy provides a way to ensure necessary nutrition without exposing them to the dangers associated with oral feeds or even gastric feeds. Since the jejunum does not have the same pressure dynamics as the stomach, the risk of reflux or aspiration related to the contents of the stomach is eliminated.

Other feeding routes, such as oral, nasogastric, and gastrostomy, carry higher risks of aspiration. Oral feeding relies on the patient’s ability to swallow safely, while nasogastric tubes can lead to pooling of secretions and potential for aspiration. Gastrostomy feeding, although safer than oral or nasogastric in some respects, still allows for reflux and possible aspiration, especially if the patient is not positioned properly.

For patients at risk of aspiration,