A nurse in an acute care facility is caring for a client who has anorexia nervosa.
During the first week of care, which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Allow the client to eat meals in his room.
Weigh the client every 48 hr.
Obtain the client's vital signs every other day.
Observe the client for 1 hr after meals.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale:
Allowing the client to eat meals in his room might not be the best approach. Patients with anorexia nervosa often have distorted body image and may engage in secretive behaviors related to food intake. Supervised meals and observation during and after meals are essential to prevent behaviors like purging.
Choice B rationale:
Weighing the client every 48 hours is not frequent enough for a patient with anorexia nervosa. Daily weight monitoring is crucial in these cases because rapid weight loss or fluctuations can indicate worsening malnutrition, dehydration, or other medical complications.
Choice C rationale:
Obtaining vital signs every other day might not provide an accurate picture of the client's overall health status, especially during the critical early phase of care. In anorexia nervosa, patients are at risk of severe complications such as electrolyte imbalances, cardiac issues, and malnutrition, which can rapidly change and require close monitoring.
Choice D rationale:
Observing the client for 1 hour after meals is a crucial nursing intervention for individuals with anorexia nervosa. After meals, these patients are at risk of engaging in purging behaviors like vomiting or excessive exercise to compensate for caloric intake. Close observation can help prevent these behaviors and ensure the client's safety.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Sodium level of 142 mEq/L is within the normal range (135-145 mEq/L) for adults. However, normal ranges for children might vary slightly, but 142 mEq/L is not indicative of dehydration on its own.
Choice B rationale:
Respiratory rate of 22/min is within the normal range for a 3-year-old child (20-30 breaths/min) This rate alone does not provide evidence of dehydration.
Choice C rationale:
Potassium level of 3.9 mEq/L is within the normal range (3.5-5.1 mEq/L) for children. Like sodium, normal ranges for potassium may differ slightly in pediatric patients, but 3.9 mEq/L is not alarming on its own.
Choice D rationale:
Heart rate of 148/min is elevated for a 3-year-old child. Tachycardia is a common sign of dehydration in pediatric patients. This increased heart rate indicates the body's compensatory mechanism to maintain cardiac output in response to decreased blood volume, a typical consequence of dehydration.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
- A. This choice is incorrect because forgetting to buy a gift is not an example of dissociation, but rather a sign of poor memory or lack of attention.
- B. This choice is correct because describing the abuse as if it happened to someone else is an example of dissociation, which is a defense mechanism that involves separating oneself from painful or traumatic experiences.
- C. This choice is incorrect because being verbally assertive is not an example of dissociation, but rather a personality trait or a coping skill.
- D. This choice is incorrect because blaming the boss for not getting a promotion is not an example of dissociation, but rather a sign of external locus of control or rationalization.
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