Hydration is an essential component of enteral nutrition management. There are various ways to calculate fluid requirements, most of which are based on some estimate of lean body mass and fluid losses. Once fluid requirement estimates are made, the fluids must be given (if indicated) and there must be ongoing assessment of the patient's clinical hydration status. There are also various ways to provide fluids in enterally fed patients, but for most patients, tap water as a bolused flush suffices to meet fluid needs.
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