Post-Surgical Nutritional Care Flashcards
7 cards from real CBC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Post-Surgical Nutritional Care flashcards as text
A patient 5 years post-bypass presents with night blindness and dry eyes. Which deficiency should be suspected?
Answer: Vitamin A
Night blindness and xerophthalmia are classic signs of vitamin A deficiency from long-term fat malabsorption.
Why are chewable or liquid multivitamins often recommended in the early post-operative period?
Answer: Large intact pills may be poorly tolerated and incompletely absorbed by the healing pouch
Chewable or liquid forms are easier to tolerate and absorb while the pouch is healing and small.
A patient develops kidney stones 2 years after gastric bypass. Which dietary mechanism most likely contributed?
Answer: Increased oxalate absorption from fat malabsorption leading to calcium oxalate stones
Fat malabsorption binds calcium to fat, leaving oxalate free for absorption and raising calcium oxalate stone risk.
Which strategy best helps a post-bariatric patient meet fluid goals without disrupting meals?
Answer: Sipping small amounts of fluid consistently between meals throughout the day
Frequent small sips between meals achieve hydration goals while preserving the drinking-eating separation rule.
A counselor reviews a patient's diet showing grazing on crackers and chips all day despite small meals. Why is this pattern harmful after surgery?
Answer: Grazing allows high total calorie intake that bypasses restriction and causes weight regain
Frequent grazing on carbohydrate snacks accumulates calories without triggering restriction, driving weight regain.
What is the typical recommended vitamin D3 supplementation approach for post-bariatric patients?
Answer: Daily supplementation, commonly around 3,000 IU, titrated to maintain sufficient serum 25-OH vitamin D levels
Guidelines recommend ongoing daily vitamin D3 with dosing adjusted to keep serum 25-OH vitamin D in the sufficient range.
A patient reports intolerance to milk with bloating and diarrhea after gastric bypass. What is the most likely explanation?
Answer: New-onset lactose intolerance from bypassing intestinal segments and faster transit
Altered anatomy and rapid transit commonly unmask lactose intolerance after bypass procedures.