A nurse is caring for a client with an eating disorder. The nurse is aware which findings are commonly associated with clients who have anorexia? (Select All that Apply.)

A. The pharmacological action of Ritalin causes a decrease in appetite. Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is a stimulant medication commonly prescribed for ADHD. One of its well-documented side effects is appetite suppression, which can lead to weight loss. This is the most accurate and direct explanation for the weight loss observed in the adolescent client.

B. Side effects of Ritalin cause nausea; therefore, caloric intake is decreased. While nausea can occur with methylphenidate, it is not the primary reason for weight loss. The main mechanism is appetite suppression rather than a direct reduction in caloric intake due to nausea. This response is less accurate than option A.

C. Increased ability to concentrate allows the client to focus on activities rather than food: While methylphenidate can improve concentration, this explanation does not directly address the physiological cause of weight loss. It is the decrease in appetite due to the drug's effects on neurotransmitters that leads to weight loss, not the increased focus on activities .

D. Hyperactivity seen in ADHD causes increased caloric expenditure: Hyperactivity itself can lead to higher caloric expenditure, but this is not directly related to the weight loss caused by methylphenidate. The primary reason for the weight loss in this case is the appetite suppression due to the medication, not increased activity .

A. Contracture: Contracture refers to the permanent tightening of muscles or joints and is not directly related to neurocognitive disorders. It is a physical condition rather than a cause of cognitive impairment.

B. Cerebral trauma: Cerebral trauma, such as traumatic brain injury, can lead to secondary neurocognitive disorders due to direct damage to brain tissues and subsequent cognitive impairments.

C. Fever: Severe or prolonged fever can be associated with secondary neurocognitive disorders, especially if it leads to complications like encephalitis or severe metabolic disturbances.

D. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): HIV can lead to secondary neurocognitive disorders due to the direct effects of the virus on the brain and the resultant immune deficiency, which can allow opportunistic infections that affect cognitive function.

E. Huntington's disease: Huntington's disease is a primary neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It directly causes neurocognitive decline due to genetic mutations and is considered a primary neurocognitive disorder rather than a secondary one. Secondary neurocognitive disorders are typically the result of another primary condition or external factor such as trauma or infection, rather than a primary neurodegenerative disease.