A nurse is providing education to a group of adolescents about eating disorders. Which statement by one of the participants indicates a need for further education?

Choice A rationale:

Ignoring the client's beliefs to avoid escalating distress is not a therapeutic approach. Addressing cognitive distortions and irrational beliefs is crucial in helping the client reframe their thoughts and promote healthier behaviors.

Choice B rationale:

Encouraging the client to engage in self-isolation is counterproductive. Isolation can worsen the client's condition and hinder their recovery.

Choice C rationale:

Addressing cognitive distortions and irrational beliefs is the appropriate therapeutic approach. This involves working with the client to identify and challenge negative thought patterns, helping them develop a more realistic perception of their body image and self-worth.

Choice D rationale:

Avoiding discussing body image to prevent embarrassment is not effective. Open and sensitive discussions about body image are important in the therapeutic process to help the client gain insight into their feelings and beliefs.

Choice A rationale:

Gastric emptying. Gastric emptying refers to the process by which the stomach contents are emptied into the small intestine. While it can be affected by various factors, such as the type of food consumed, it's not a typical gastrointestinal symptom associated with eating disorders. Eating disorders often involve disturbances in eating behaviors, body image, and psychological aspects rather than the mechanical process of gastric emptying.

Choice B rationale:

Constipation and diarrhea. Constipation and diarrhea can be associated with various gastrointestinal conditions, but they are not the hallmark symptoms of eating disorders. In some cases, individuals with anorexia nervosa might experience constipation due to low food intake, but this is not a defining feature of eating disorders as a whole.

Choice C rationale:

Abdominal pain and bloating. Abdominal pain and bloating are common gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals with eating disorders, particularly those who engage in binge eating or consume large amounts of food in a short period. The discomfort from overeating or consuming excessive amounts of food can lead to abdominal pain and bloating. Additionally, purging behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting, can also cause irritation to the stomach lining and result in abdominal pain.

Choice D rationale:

Nausea and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are indeed common symptoms in individuals with eating disorders, especially those with bulimia nervosa. The act of binge eating followed by purging through vomiting is a key characteristic of this disorder. However, the question is asking about gastrointestinal symptoms typically associated with eating disorders in general, and not all individuals with eating disorders engage in purging behaviors.