(Question from external source) Which of the following is a common pathophysiological change associated with eating disorders?

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.

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.