During refeeding syndrome, what happens to extracellular fluid volume?

Study for the eatrightPREP Domain 2 Dietetics Exam. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions, with hints and explanations for each. Prepare confidently for your exam!

Multiple Choice

During refeeding syndrome, what happens to extracellular fluid volume?

Explanation:
Refeeding syndrome triggers an insulin-driven fluid retention response. When nutrition is resumed after starvation, insulin rises and promotes sodium reabsorption in the kidneys and uptake of glucose (and other nutrients) into cells. The kidneys hold onto more sodium, and water follows to balance the osmotic load, expanding the extracellular fluid compartment. Clinically this shows up as edema and potential fluid overload. So extracellular fluid volume increases during refeeding syndrome.

Refeeding syndrome triggers an insulin-driven fluid retention response. When nutrition is resumed after starvation, insulin rises and promotes sodium reabsorption in the kidneys and uptake of glucose (and other nutrients) into cells. The kidneys hold onto more sodium, and water follows to balance the osmotic load, expanding the extracellular fluid compartment. Clinically this shows up as edema and potential fluid overload. So extracellular fluid volume increases during refeeding syndrome.

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