Electrolyte Disorders USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 34-year-old woman with anorexia nervosa presents after one week of nutritional rehabilitation with high-carbohydrate refeeding. She has confusion, palpitations, and a seizure. Vital signs show HR 118 bpm, BP 102/68 mmHg, RR 20/min. Labs reveal K+ 2.1 mEq/L, phosphate 0.6 mg/dL, magnesium 1.2 mg/dL, and glucose 94 mg/dL. ECG shows prolonged QT interval. She denies recent diarrhea. Which metabolic complication is most likely occurring?
Answer choices
- ASepsis from aspiration pneumonia
- BAcute coronary syndrome
- CRefeeding syndromeCorrect answer
- DPurging syndrome
- EWernicke encephalopathy
- FThyroid storm from underlying Graves' disease
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