Objective To promote the clinical application of parenteral and enteral nutrition preparations in hospitalized patients. Methods Domestic and foreign articles about parenteral and enteral nutrition support were enrolled to make a review. Results Nowadays, parenteral and enteral nutrition played an important role in the medical treatment of perioperative and critically ill patients. Rational nutrition support could improve the condition of patients with nutritional risk and result in better clinical outcomes. Different enteral nutrition formulations should be used according to the diseases. Supplementally parenteral nutrition may also be useful in combination with enteral nutrition to reach the required intake targets. We should pay attention to the application of glucose, lipid emulsion, amino acids, vitamins, and so on, when performed parenteral nutrition support. Conclusion It is necessary to standardize parenteral and enteral nutrition support in the work of clinical practice, including the application of nutrition support and selection of nutrition preparations.