Final answer:
The correct answer is B) Hypokalemia, edema, and confusion. These are signs of refeeding syndrome, which is a dangerous shift in electrolytes that may occur when a starved individual begins to eat again. This syndrome is linked to severe undernutrition such as kwashiorkor and marasmus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The signs of refeeding syndrome, which is a potentially lethal complication of nutritional replenishment, are B) Hypokalemia, edema, and confusion. This syndrome occurs when a person who has been in a state of starvation begins to eat again, leading to an abrupt shift in electrolytes and fluid balance within the body. The sudden reintroduction of glucose increases insulin production, which in turn causes cells to uptake not only glucose but also phosphate, magnesium, and potassium, leading to deficiencies of these electrolytes in the blood. Some signs and symptoms of refeeding syndrome include hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood), edema (swelling), confusion, muscle weakness, seizures, and cardiac complications.
Refeeding syndrome is often seen in individuals recovering from severe undernutrition syndromes such as kwashiorkor and marasmus, which are characterized by a lack of protein and calories. Additionally, heavily processed foods that lead to malnutrition due to a lack of essential nutrients can increase the risk of refeeding syndrome when normal eating is resumed.