A nurse is assessing a client who has a diagnosis of conversion disorder. Which of the following is an expected finding?

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.

Choice A rationale:

Intrusive and judgmental: Asking "Why did you wear clean clothes and comb your hair today?" directly challenges the client's behavior and implies that she needs to justify her actions. This can make the client feel defensive and less likely to open up.

Focuses on the past: The directs attention to the client's previous lack of self-care, which can reinforce negative feelings and discourage progress.

Assumes motivation: It presumes that the client made a conscious decision to change her appearance based on a specific reason, which may not be accurate and can invalidate her experience.

Choice B rationale:

Presumptuous and premature: Concluding that "Your mood must be lifting because you have on clean clothes and have combed your hair" makes assumptions about the client's internal state without proper assessment.

Oversimplifies depression: It suggests that improvements in self-care directly equate to mood improvement, which disregards the complexity of depression and its varied manifestations.

Can create pressure: The statement can inadvertently pressure the client to feel or act a certain way to meet the nurse's expectations, hindering genuine progress.

Choice D rationale:

Paternalistic and condescending: Expressing "Oh, I'm so pleased that you finally put on clean clothes" implies that the nurse has been waiting for or expecting this change, placing the nurse in a position of authority and potentially undermining the client's autonomy.

Focuses on the nurse's feelings: The statement centers on the nurse's approval rather than acknowledging the client's efforts and perspective.

Can reinforce dependency: It can foster a dynamic where the client seeks external validation for her actions, rather than developing internal motivation for self-care.

Choice C rationale:

Observational and non-judgmental: The statement "I see that you have on clean clothes and have combed your hair" simply acknowledges the client's actions without imposing any interpretation or judgment.

Invites conversation: It provides an opportunity for the client to elaborate on her choices if she feels comfortable, promoting autonomy and self-expression.

Validates effort: It subtly recognizes the client's efforts without explicitly praising or criticizing, fostering a sense of self- efficacy and encouraging continued self-care.

Demonstrates active listening: It shows that the nurse has been paying attention to the client's progress, which can strengthen the therapeutic relationship and build trust.