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Refeeding risk — DGM MCQ

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HardFrailtyRefeeding riskDGM

An 84-year-old man has eaten very little for two weeks after illness and is admitted underweight. He is due to start nutritional supplements. Baseline phosphate is low and he has chronic alcohol excess. Current medicines include thiamine not yet prescribed. What is the most appropriate assessment?

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Correct answer: C — Assess refeeding risk and replace thiamine/electrolytes

Prolonged poor intake, low phosphate and alcohol excess create refeeding risk, requiring cautious nutrition, thiamine and electrolyte management. Full calories immediately may be dangerous, avoiding nutrition unnecessarily prolongs malnutrition, diuretics worsen electrolytes, and low phosphate is clinically important. Refeeding syndrome prevention is a key safety step in malnutrition.

Reference: NICE CG32