Final answer:
Elevating the head of the bed greater than 15° during enteral feeding is the recommended method to prevent aspiration, as it utilizes gravity to help prevent backflow of stomach contents into the airway.
Step-by-step explanation:
To prevent aspiration during enteral feeding, one of the commonly recommended methods is to elevate the head of the bed at an angle greater than 15°. This is based on the principle that gravity can assist in controlling the backflow of stomach contents, thus reducing the risk of these contents entering the airway and lungs. While sleeping with the head of the bed elevated can help manage acid reflux by a similar mechanism, the same concept applies to enteral feeding to prevent aspiration. Fiber-containing formulas are not primarily aimed at reducing aspiration risk, and while placement of a percutaneous gastrostomy or a nasojejunal tube may be associated with changes in feeding routes, these are not the most immediate preventive measures for aspiration during feeding. Peristalsis, not gravity, moves food through the esophagus, but elevation helps prevent regurgitation and potential aspiration of stomach contents.