A nurse is caring for a client who has bulimia nervosa.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Observe the client during and after meals.
Suggest that the client assist with meal planning.
Instruct the client about effective coping strategies.
Refer the client to a support group for clients who have eating disorders.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
The nurse's first action when caring for a client with bulimia nervosa should be to observe the client during and after meals. This is essential to monitor for signs of binge-eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting or the misuse of laxatives. Timely observation can help ensure the client's safety and provide an opportunity for immediate intervention if necessary.
Choice B rationale:
Suggesting that the client assist with meal planning can be a beneficial intervention, but it should not be the first action. Clients with bulimia nervosa often have complex emotional and psychological issues related to their eating habits, so it's crucial to address the immediate risks of binge-purge episodes before moving on to meal planning.
Choice C rationale:
Instructing the client about effective coping strategies is important for long-term recovery, but it should not be the first action. Immediate safety concerns, such as monitoring for binge-purge behaviors, take precedence in the initial care of a client with bulimia nervosa.
Choice D rationale:
Referring the client to a support group is a valuable intervention in the long-term management of bulimia nervosa, but it should not be the first action. The immediate priority is to assess and address any acute risks associated with the disorder, such as binge-purge episodes.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Decreased platelets are not typically an indicator of infection. Platelet levels may decrease in conditions like thrombocytopenia, but they are not a specific indicator of infection.
Choice B rationale:
Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is an indicator of infection. An elevated ESR is a nonspecific marker of inflammation in the body, which can be seen in response to infection, among other conditions.
Choice C rationale:
Decreased hemoglobin is not typically an indicator of infection. Hemoglobin levels may decrease in conditions like anemia, but they are not a specific indicator of infection.
Choice D rationale:
Increased iron levels are not typically an indicator of infection. Iron levels can vary for various reasons, but they are not a direct marker of infection.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice B rationale:
Prothrombin time. Monitoring prothrombin time is not typically required for clients taking levothyroxine. Prothrombin time is a measure of blood clotting and is not directly affected by thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
Choice C rationale:
Blood urea nitrogen. Monitoring blood urea nitrogen is not specifically related to levothyroxine therapy. Blood urea nitrogen is a measure of kidney function and is not typically affected by thyroid hormone replacement.
Choice D rationale:
Serum potassium. Monitoring serum potassium levels is important for some medications, but it is not a primary concern when a client is taking levothyroxine. Levothyroxine is primarily used to replace or supplement thyroid hormones, and its main focus is on thyroid function.
Choice A rationale:
Triiodothyronine. Triiodothyronine (T3) is one of the thyroid hormones, and monitoring its levels is essential when a client is taking levothyroxine. Levothyroxine is a synthetic form of thyroxine (T4), which the body converts into triiodothyronine (T3) Monitoring T3 levels helps ensure that the client's thyroid hormone replacement therapy is effective and that they are not experiencing over- or under-dosage.
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