Critical care: refeeding syndrome: practice question

A Anaesthesia question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anaesthesia · Critical care: refeeding syndrome

Sample item

Which electrolyte abnormality is most characteristic of refeeding syndrome?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Hypophosphataemia

Reintroducing feeding after prolonged starvation causes an insulin surge that drives phosphate, potassium and magnesium into cells. Hypophosphataemia is the hallmark and causes muscle weakness, respiratory failure and arrhythmias. Thiamine is given before feeding and feeding is started slowly.

Option by option

  • A. Hypophosphataemia (correct)

    Correct. Intracellular shift causes profound hypophosphataemia.

  • B. Hypercalcaemia

    Calcium is not the characteristic abnormality.

  • C. Hyperphosphataemia

    Phosphate falls rather than rises.

  • D. Hypernatraemia

    Sodium is not the hallmark.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is A, Hypophosphataemia. Reintroducing feeding after prolonged starvation causes an insulin surge that drives phosphate, potassium and magnesium into cells.

Why is "Hypercalcaemia" not the answer?

Calcium is not the characteristic abnormality.

Why is "Hyperphosphataemia" not the answer?

Phosphate falls rather than rises.

Why is "Hypernatraemia" not the answer?

Sodium is not the hallmark.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Critical care: refeeding syndrome in Anaesthesia. Hypophosphataemia is the hallmark and causes muscle weakness, respiratory failure and arrhythmias. Thiamine is given before feeding and feeding is started slowly.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Critical care: refeeding syndrome?

Make a table of each agent, its key advantage and its main side effect. Then use the flashcards and the other Anaesthesia questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.