Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) PN-RN Practice Test

What is a suitable approach to manage a patient with dumping syndrome post-surgery?

1. Encourage large meals to increase intake.

2. Advise avoidance of simple carbohydrates.

3. Meet with a dietician to adjust diet.

4. Include high-sugar snacks in small portions.

The correct answer is: Advise avoidance of simple carbohydrates.

The suitable approach to manage a patient with dumping syndrome post-surgery involves advising avoidance of simple carbohydrates. Dumping syndrome occurs when food, especially sugars, moves too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine. Simple carbohydrates can lead to a rapid release of insulin and cause symptoms such as diarrhea, cramping, and dizziness due to fluid shifts. Avoiding simple carbohydrates helps lessen the symptoms by reducing the rapid influx of sugar into the small intestine, which can trigger the dumping reflex. Patients are often advised to opt for complex carbohydrates and fiber instead, as these are digested more slowly and do not cause sharp spikes in blood sugar levels. While meeting with a dietician is beneficial in creating a personalized dietary plan, the specific recommendation to avoid simple carbohydrates directly addresses the physiologic mechanism at play in dumping syndrome. This targeted strategy can significantly help in managing the patient's symptoms effectively. While large meals may seem like a way to increase caloric intake, they can exacerbate symptoms, and high-sugar snacks would similarly worsen the condition.