There are no official guidelines to assist in answering this question. I will search for relevant research papers instead.
From the Research
Discontinuation of Enteral Feedings
Enteral feedings should be discontinued in certain situations, including:
- Gastrointestinal complications that do not resolve with appropriate management, such as vomiting and bowel movement disorders 1
- Prolonged diarrhea that causes deficiency in nutrient absorption, malnutrition, and increase in mortality 1
- Other causes of diarrhea that are not related to enteral feedings, after ruling out other causes of diarrhea 1
Measures to Prevent Gastrointestinal Complications
To avoid gastrointestinal complications, the following measures can be taken:
- Start enteral nutrition as soon as possible with a small amount and gradually increase 1
- Elevate the head of the bed (30° to 45°) to decrease the risk of reflux and aspiration 1
- Switch to continuous administration or administration of prokinetic drugs or narcotic antagonists to promote gastrointestinal motility 1
- Switch to jejunal access (postpyloric route) to decrease the risk of reflux and aspiration 1
General Guidelines for Enteral Feedings
General guidelines for enteral feedings include:
- Enteral feedings should be continued as long as possible without interruption and discontinuation of enteral feedings should be done easily by appropriate measures, even if gastrointestinal complications occur 1
- Enteral nutrition should be initiated upon admission to the ICU in the absence of contraindications 2
- Gastric residual volumes to assess feeding tolerance should no longer be routinely measured 2
- Enteral nutrition can be safely continued in most patients with secure airways undergoing anesthesia and resumed within 24 h of abdominal surgery 2