A nurse is assessing a patient with an eating disorder. Which of the following gastrointestinal symptoms would the nurse expect to find?
Gastric emptying.
Constipation and diarrhea.
Abdominal pain and bloating.
Nausea and vomiting.
The Correct Answer is C
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Prescribing medications for the patient is not a key responsibility of the nurse in this context. While nurses may administer medications, the prescription and management of medications typically fall under the purview of medical doctors or advanced practice nurses.
Choice B rationale:
Isolating the patient from family involvement is not a key responsibility of the nurse. In fact, involving the patient's family and support system is often beneficial for the patient's recovery in the context of an eating disorder.
Choice C rationale:
Sharing information and coordinating care is a key responsibility of the nurse when collaborating with a multidisciplinary team for a patient with an eating disorder. The nurse acts as a central point of communication, ensuring that all members of the team are informed about the patient's condition, treatment plan, and progress. This helps create a comprehensive and coordinated approach to care.
Choice D rationale:
Referring the patient to only a dietitian is not sufficient in addressing the complex needs of a patient with an eating disorder. While dietitians play an important role, the nurse's responsibility involves a broader scope of care coordination and collaboration with various team members.
Choice E rationale:
Exclusively participating in team meetings is not the sole responsibility of the nurse. While team meetings are important, the nurse's role extends beyond attending meetings and includes hands-on patient care, communication, and coordination of care activities.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice B rationale:
Normal or slightly above normal body weight is a characteristic of anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by a distorted body image and an intense fear of gaining weight, leading to self-imposed starvation and significant weight loss. Despite being underweight or emaciated, individuals with anorexia nervosa often perceive themselves as overweight or obese, which is a key feature of the disorder.
Choice A rationale:
Recurrent episodes of binge eating are characteristic of bulimia nervosa, not anorexia nervosa. In bulimia nervosa, individuals engage in episodes of binge eating followed by behaviors to compensate for the overeating, such as vomiting, laxative use, or excessive exercise.
Choice C rationale:
Lack of interest in eating or food is not a characteristic of anorexia nervosa. This symptom aligns more closely with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), where individuals have a lack of interest in eating due to sensory sensitivities or other aversive experiences related to food.
Choice D rationale:
Repeated regurgitation of food is a characteristic of rumination disorder, which is a separate eating disorder and is not a defining feature of anorexia nervosa.
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