Methods and apparatus for guiding medical care based on sensor data from the gastrointestinal tract

An apparatus for use with enteral feeding, comprising:

• an elongated body having a length configured for insertion into a stomach of a subject;
• at least one pair of electrodes located along the length of the elongated body and positionable for placement within the stomach;
• a controller in electrical communication with the at least one pair of electrodes, wherein the controller is configured to detect a change in a conductivity or impedance of stomach contents measured between the pair of electrodes when an additive element is introduced per-orally or nasally through the elongated body and into the stomach, and wherein the controller is further configured to determine a probability that the elongated body is within a respiratory tract or the stomach within the subject based upon a signal relating to a respiratory parameter received by the controller;
• a display in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is configured to determine the gastric residual volume (GRV) of the stomach based on the measured conductivity or impedance of the stomach contents and provide real-time GRV data upon the display;
• and
• at least one sensor in communication with the controller and located along the length proximally of the at least one pair of electrodes, wherein the controller is further configured to provide an indication of a reflux event experienced by the subject upon detection via the at least one sensor.