A mental health nurse on an inpatient eating disorders unit is caring for a client who has anorexia nervosa and has a body mass index of 16.7. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)

Choice A rationale: Brittle and thin hair is a common physical manifestation of anorexia nervosa. This is due to malnutrition, which affects the health and quality of hair.

Choice B rationale: The presence of soft, unpigmented hair on the arms (and other parts of the body) is known as lanugo.

It’s a type of fine hair that the body produces in response to severe malnutrition, often seen in cases of anorexia nervosa.

The body grows lanugo in an attempt to provide insulation and maintain body heat, due to the loss of insulating body fat.

Choice C rationale: Individuals with anorexia nervosa typically have a distorted body image and often perceive themselves as overweight, even when they are underweight.

Therefore, it’s unlikely for them to comment that they are too thin and need to gain weight.

Choice D rationale: Preoccupation with thoughts about food is a common psychological symptom of anorexia nervosa. Individuals with this disorder often spend a lot of time thinking about food, dieting, and body weight.

Choice E rationale: Feeling “too tired” and lacking interest in daily workouts can be a result of the physical exhaustion and weakness caused by severe calorie restriction and malnutrition in anorexia nervosa.

Choice F rationale: The client’s report of consuming around 600 calories per day is not provided in the question. Therefore, it cannot be evaluated.

In conclusion, the nurse should expect to find brittle and thin hair, soft unpigmented hair on the arms, preoccupation with thoughts about food, and lack of energy or interest in daily activities in a client with anorexia nervosa.

Choice A rationale: Expression of guilt feelings is a positive outcome in the treatment of conduct disorder. Guilt is an emotional response to one’s actions that are perceived as wrong or inappropriate. It is a self-conscious emotion that often involves a

sense of tension and regret. In the context of conduct disorder, the expression of guilt feelings can be seen as a sign of developing empathy and understanding the consequences of one’s actions. This is a crucial step in the process of behavior change and rehabilitation. The client showing signs of remorse during one-on-one counseling is a positive sign indicating that the treatment is having an effect.

Choice B rationale: A statement regarding unit rules is another positive outcome in the treatment of conduct disorder. Understanding and acknowledging the rules of the unit indicates that the client is beginning to accept the boundaries and norms set by the authority. This is a significant step towards improving their behavior, as individuals with conduct disorder often have difficulties following rules and respecting authority. The verbal altercation with another client could be seen as a negative event, but it also could indicate that the client is engaging with others, which could be a step towards improvement, depending on the context of the altercation.

Choice C rationale: A renewed relationship with an uncle does not necessarily indicate a positive outcome from the treatment of conduct disorder. While family support can be beneficial in the treatment process, it does not directly indicate that the client’s conduct disorder is improving. More information would be needed to determine if this is a positive outcome related to the treatment.

Choice D rationale: A positive attitude toward school is a positive outcome in the treatment of conduct disorder. School is a structured environment where rules and expectations are clearly laid out, and a positive attitude towards school can indicate that the client is beginning to accept these structures. This can be a sign of improvement in their behavior and attitude.