Certified Specialist in Geriatric Nutrition Practice Exam

Hydrolyzed or elemental enteral formulas deliver nutrients in pre-digested forms—amino acids or short peptides—so they require minimal digestion and are easier to absorb when the gut is not functioning normally or digestion is compromised. Peptamen is a peptide-based formula, representing a semi-elemental option designed for easier absorption in conditions like malabsorption, pancreatitis, or post-surgical recovery. The other formulas listed are polymeric; they contain intact proteins and other nutrients that need normal digestive processes, making them less suitable when the GI tract needs simplified digestion.