A nurse is caring for a patient with an eating disorder. Which nursing intervention is appropriate for this patient?

Choice A rationale:

Monitoring vital signs and weight (choice A) is crucial for patients with eating disorders, but it focuses mainly on the physical aspect of care. The emotional and psychological aspects are equally important and need attention.

Choice B rationale:

This is the correct intervention. Patients with eating disorders often struggle with body image and self-esteem issues. Providing emotional support and promoting self-esteem can contribute to their overall well-being and recovery.

Choice C rationale:

Assessing nutritional needs and developing a meal plan (choice C) is an essential component of care for patients with eating disorders. However, it primarily addresses the physical aspect of the disorder and doesn't fully encompass the emotional and psychological dimensions.

Choice D rationale:

Respecting the patient's beliefs and values (choice D) is a fundamental aspect of patient-centered care, but it's not the most specific intervention for addressing the complex needs of someone with an eating disorder. Additional supportive actions are necessary.

Choice A rationale:

Significant weight loss or failure to achieve expected weight gain is consistent with the diagnosis of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) ARFID is characterized by a lack of interest in eating or food, avoidance based on sensory characteristics of food, concern about the aversive consequences of eating, and avoidance of foods due to a previous negative experience. This avoidance can lead to inadequate nutrient intake and, consequently, significant weight loss or the inability to achieve expected weight gain, especially in children.

Choice B rationale:

Recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors are not indicative of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) This behavior is more characteristic of bulimia nervosa, which involves cycles of binge eating followed by behaviors like vomiting, laxative use, or excessive exercise to compensate for the overeating.

Choice C rationale:

Persistent eating of nonnutritive, nonfood substances is a characteristic of pica disorder, not avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) Pica involves the consumption of substances such as dirt, paint, hair, or cloth, which have no nutritional value.

Choice D rationale:

Repeated regurgitation of food is a characteristic of rumination disorder, not avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) Rumination disorder involves the regurgitation of food that is then either re-chewed, re-swallowed, or spit out, without an associated medical condition.