Has it been a while since you reviewed Refeeding Syndrome? Do you feel confident with why refeeding syndrome happens?
Refeeding Syndrome is a condition that affects patients who have gone long periods of time without adequate nutrition - or in patients who have malnutrition. It's a condition that results from an electrolyte imbalance. Thankfully, with the increasing awareness of malnutrition, it's on the radar more.
And if it's not caught or addressed immediately, it can be life-threatening.
The goal of this episode is to give you a general overview of this condition so you'll be ready to accurately answer any questions that will pop up on the exam. More than that though, if you find yourself working with people at risk of refeeding syndrome, you'll know what it is and how to approach nutrition safely with these patients.
This is what you'll learn in this episode:
1) What refeeding syndrome is
2) How refeeding syndrome occurs
3) Symptoms associated with refeeding syndrome
4) How to safely start nutrition in patients at risk of refeeding syndrome
I'll never forget the first time I had a patient show signs of refeeding syndrome.
Here's a glance at this episode:
[04:20] Who's at risk of developing refeeding syndrome
[05:50] What nutrient triggers refeeding syndrome
[07:25] The mechanism behind refeeding syndrome
[08:55] Symptoms of refeeding syndrome
[09:55] What you can do as a dietitian to help patients at risk of develping refeeding syndrome
You aren’t expected to be a refeeding syndrome expert. Remember, the exam is an entry-level exam.
This episode was requested by a listener. If you have a topic you want covered on the RD Exam Made Easy Podcast, send me a message on Instagram @jananichollrd.
Resources:If you're doubting your parenteral and enteral nutrition calculations, check out these resources that show you step-by-step how to calculate so you never doubt your math again:
How to calculate Parenteral NutritionHow to calculate Tube FeedingEpisode Transcript 
