Define refeeding syndrome. How will Mr. McKinley's recent 100-lb weight loss affect your nutrition support recommendations regarding risk of refeeding syndrome?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Refeeding syndrome includes the metabolic and clinical changes that can occur when initiating nutrition support of the malnourished patient. When the malnourished patient is fed, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypophosphatemia may result due to the rapid introduction of nutriture. Potassium, magnesium, and phosphate tend to experience an intracellular shift to accommodate the "starved" cells' demands to meet their metabolic needs. Mr. McKinley's rapid weight loss due to bariatric surgery and presentation of electrolyte abnormalities places him at high risk for refeeding syndrome. It would be important to alert the MD of the risk with hypophosphatemia so that electrolytes can be replaced prior to initiation of enteral feeding. Monitoring electrolytes daily with slow advancement of the feeding will assist to prevent the complications of refeeding syndrome.