A nurse is preparing to administer amantadine 150 mg PO every 12 hr. The available medication is amantadine 50 mg/5 mL syrup.

How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?

The correct answer is choiceAandE.

Choice A rationale:

Monitoring the client’s weight daily is crucial in managing anorexia nervosa.It helps track the client’s progress and ensures that any significant weight changes are promptly addressed.

Choice B rationale:

Allowing the client to choose their meals can be counterproductive.Clients with anorexia nervosa may make choices that do not support their nutritional needs, potentially exacerbating their condition.

Choice C rationale:

Allowing the client to practice strenuous exercises is not advisable.Strenuous exercise can further deplete the client’s already low energy reserves and exacerbate malnutrition.

Choice D rationale:

Staying with the client during meals and for 2 hours after meals is incorrect.The recommended practice is to stay with the client for 30 minutes after meals to monitor for any purging behaviors.

Choice E rationale:

Providing the client with small meals frequently is beneficial. It helps in managing their nutritional intake without overwhelming them, which can be more acceptable and manageable for clients with anorexia nervosa.

Choice A rationale: Communicating empathy for the client’s feelings to increase rapport is an important aspect of nursing care. It helps in building a therapeutic relationship with the client, which can facilitate better communication and cooperation during treatment. However, while this is a valuable intervention, it does not take priority over monitoring for adverse effects of refeeding in a client diagnosed with anorexia nervosa who has begun to gain weight.

Choice B rationale: Helping the patient balance energy expenditure and caloric intake is a crucial part of the treatment plan for anorexia nervosa. This intervention aims to ensure that the client is receiving adequate nutrition for their body’s needs without excessive energy expenditure that could hinder weight gain. However, this intervention is not as immediate a priority as monitoring for refeeding syndrome, which can have severe and potentially life-threatening consequences.

Choice C rationale: Assessing for adverse effects of refeeding is the priority nursing intervention in this scenario. Refeeding syndrome is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can occur when nutritional replenishment is initiated in severely malnourished clients, such as those with anorexia nervosa. It is characterized by metabolic alterations, including hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia, and hypomagnesemia. These alterations can lead to serious complications, such as cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory failure, and neurological complications.

Therefore, early detection and management of refeeding syndrome are crucial.

Choice D rationale: Assessing for depression and anxiety during every shift assessment is an important part of psychiatric nursing care. Many individuals with anorexia nervosa also experience co-morbid psychiatric conditions, such as depression and anxiety disorders. Regular assessment can help detect any changes in the client’s mental status and prompt timely intervention. However, while this is an important aspect of care, it does not take priority over assessing for the adverse effects of refeeding.