Question

An older adult with poor oral intake over a two month period requires specialized nutrition support. Which of the following electrolyte abnormalities is associated with aggressive nutrition support?

1: Hyperkalemia
2: Hypocalcemia
3: Hypermagnesemia
4: Hypophosphatemia

Answer 1

Hypophosphatemia (option 4) is the electrolyte abnormality associated with aggressive nutrition support in malnourished individuals, such as an older adult with poor oral intake; it occurs when there is abnormally low phosphate blood levels that could be exacerbated by aggressive nutritional repletion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student asked which electrolyte abnormalities are associated with aggressive nutrition support in an older adult with poor oral intake over a period of time. The correct answer to this question is hypophosphatemia, which is an abnormally low level of phosphate in the blood. This condition can occur during malnourishment and may be exacerbated when aggressive nutrition support, such as parenteral (IV) nutrition, is initiated without proper phosphate supplementation.

During periods of starvation, the body's conservation of phosphate can become impaired, which is a concern when reintroducing nutrients. If an older adult has been malnourished, their phosphate levels might already be low, and the sudden uptake of glucose during refeeding can cause phosphate to shift into cells, leading to even lower levels in the blood and potentially dangerous conditions.