A nurse is caring for a patient with anorexia nervosa. Which treatment approach would be the priority for this patient?
Stabilizing the patient's physical condition.
Addressing the psychological aspects of the disorder.
Preventing relapse and maintaining recovery.
Providing ongoing follow-up care.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
Stabilizing the patient's physical condition. For individuals with severe eating disorders, especially anorexia nervosa, the priority is often to address their physical health and stabilize any medical complications arising from malnutrition. This might involve medical interventions, nutritional rehabilitation, and closely monitoring vital signs to prevent serious health consequences.
Choice B rationale:
Addressing the psychological aspects of the disorder. While addressing the psychological aspects is an integral part of treating eating disorders, it's crucial to prioritize physical health when dealing with severe cases. Malnutrition can lead to various medical complications, including electrolyte imbalances, organ damage, and cardiac issues. Without addressing the physical health first, psychological interventions might be less effective.
Choice C rationale:
Preventing relapse and maintaining recovery. Preventing relapse and maintaining recovery are important aspects of long-term treatment, but they become more relevant after the patient's physical condition has been stabilized. Once the immediate physical risks are minimized, efforts can shift toward addressing psychological factors and developing strategies to prevent relapse.
Choice D rationale:
Providing ongoing follow-up care. Ongoing follow-up care is essential for individuals with eating disorders to ensure that they continue to progress in their recovery journey and to monitor any potential relapse signs. However, this becomes more pertinent once the patient's physical condition has been stabilized and initial treatment has been provided.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors.
Choice A rationale:
Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry is not a characteristic of bulimia nervosa. While individuals with bulimia nervosa do experience episodes of binge eating, this behavior is not dependent on physical hunger.
Choice B rationale:
Recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors are indeed a characteristic of bulimia nervosa. Binge eating involves consuming a large amount of food in a short period, accompanied by a sense of lack of control. The compensatory behaviors, such as vomiting, laxative use, or excessive exercise, are aimed at counteracting the perceived consequences of the binge eating, such as weight gain.
Choice C rationale:
Persistent eating of nonnutritive, nonfood substances, known as pica, is not a characteristic of bulimia nervosa. Pica is a separate eating disorder that involves the consumption of non-food items such as hair, paper, or soil.
Choice D rationale:
Recurrent purging behavior to influence weight or shape is more closely associated with the eating disorder anorexia nervosa. While purging behaviors like vomiting or using laxatives can also occur in bulimia nervosa, they are not specific to it.
Correct Answer is ["B","D","E"]
Explanation
The correct answer is choice B, D, and E.
Choice A rationale:
Administering pain management medications is not typically a direct intervention for eating disorders unless the patient has a comorbid condition that requires pain management. Eating disorders primarily require nutritional, psychological, and physiological interventions.
Choice B rationale:
Providing nutritional education is a fundamental intervention for patients with eating disorders. It helps them understand the importance of balanced nutrition and addresses any misconceptions about food and diet that may contribute to their condition.
Choice C rationale:
Assisting with wound care may be necessary if the patient has self-inflicted wounds or other injuries, but it is not a standard nursing intervention for eating disorders unless there are specific complications that require such care.
Choice D rationale:
Recommending meditation techniques can be beneficial for patients with eating disorders as it can help reduce anxiety, improve stress management, and promote a more positive body image and self-esteem.
Choice E rationale:
Monitoring vital signs is crucial for patients with eating disorders due to the potential for severe physiological complications such as electrolyte imbalances, cardiac issues, and other vital sign instabilities that can arise from malnutrition and the behaviors associated with eating disorders.
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