Final answer:
For a patient with normal intestinal function unable to eat, Gastrostomy tube feeding is recommended, as it allows for direct delivery of nutrients into the stomach while preserving gastrointestinal tract function.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a long term care patient has normal intestinal function but cannot eat, the appropriate tube feeding option would be 2) Gastrostomy tube feeding. This method involves a tube placed directly into the stomach through the abdominal wall. Gastrostomy feeding is a suitable choice for patients who have a functioning gastrointestinal tract but are unable to take food orally for various reasons, such as difficulty swallowing or decreased consciousness. Since medical foods are designed to meet specific nutritional needs and are administered enterically, bypassing the mouth, a gastronomy tube allows direct delivery of these nutrients into the stomach. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is meant to process and absorb nutrients, and maintaining its use helps preserve its function and intactness, compared to methods that bypass it entirely like parenteral nutrition.