Post-Surgical Nutritional Care Flashcards

A patient 18 months post-bypass reports shakiness, confusion, and hunger 2 hours after a high-carbohydrate meal. What condition should the counselor suspect?

Answer: Late dumping syndrome (reactive hypoglycemia)

Late dumping occurs 1-3 hours after eating when an exaggerated insulin response causes reactive hypoglycemia.

Which micronutrient deficiency after bariatric surgery can cause Wernicke encephalopathy if untreated?

Answer: Thiamine (vitamin B1)

Thiamine deficiency, often triggered by persistent vomiting, can rapidly progress to Wernicke encephalopathy.

A counselor notices a patient is consuming milkshakes and melted ice cream to cope with restriction. What is this behavior called?

Answer: Soft calorie or liquid calorie syndrome (eating around the surgery)

Consuming calorie-dense liquids bypasses the restrictive effect of surgery and undermines weight loss.

How should iron and calcium supplements be scheduled after bariatric surgery?

Answer: Taken at least 2 hours apart because calcium inhibits iron absorption

Calcium competes with iron for absorption, so doses should be separated by about 2 hours.

Which eating behavior is most important for preventing food getting stuck after sleeve gastrectomy?

Answer: Chewing thoroughly and eating slowly with small bites

Thorough chewing and slow eating prevent obstruction and discomfort in the narrow sleeve.

A patient asks why carbonated beverages are discouraged after bariatric surgery. What is the best response?

Answer: Gas can cause pouch discomfort, bloating, and may encourage pouch stretching over time

Carbonation introduces gas that distends the small pouch, causing pain and potentially contributing to stretching.

Which lab finding at a 12-month follow-up most suggests inadequate protein intake in a bariatric patient?

Answer: Low serum albumin

Low albumin reflects protein-energy malnutrition, a key monitoring marker after bariatric surgery.