A nurse is caring for a client in an emergency department (ED).

Exhibits

For each assessment finding, click to specify if the finding is consistent with bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa. Each finding may support more than one disease process or none at all. There must be at least 1 selection In every column. There does not need to be a selection in every row. (Note: Each category must have at least 1 response option selected)

Rationale:

A. Drop the sterile gauze from 25.4 cm (10 in) above the sterile field: Dropping sterile items from a height of about 6 to 12 inches prevents contamination by keeping hands outside the sterile field and ensuring the item lands safely without touching nonsterile surfaces.

B. Hold the sterile package in his dominant hand and open the top flap of the package toward his body: The top flap should be opened away from the nurse’s body to maintain sterility and prevent the arm from crossing over the sterile field, which would risk contamination.

C. Place objects 1.27 cm (0.5 in) inside the border of the sterile field: The outer 2.5 cm (1 inch) of the sterile field is considered contaminated. Placing items only 0.5 inches inside this border would place them within the contaminated zone, risking sterile field compromise.

D. Position the bottle outside the edge of the sterile field when pouring solution into a sterile container: While the bottle should not touch the sterile field, it must be close enough to pour without splashing, and the sterile container must be inside the sterile field.

Rationale:

• Parotid glands: Parotid gland enlargement is a typical finding in clients with bulimia nervosa due to repeated episodes of self-induced vomiting. The recurrent stimulation of salivary glands leads to painless swelling, often bilateral, and may also contribute to facial puffiness or a rounded appearance.
• Potassium level: A potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L is low and may result from either bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa. In bulimia, this is typically due to purging through vomiting or laxative use; in anorexia, it stems from prolonged restriction, dehydration, and possible diuretic misuse. Both conditions increase the risk of cardiac complications.
• Weight: The client’s weight of 61.8 kg with a BMI of 20.7 falls within the normal range and is more consistent with bulimia nervosa. Individuals with anorexia nervosa usually present with a significantly lower body weight and BMI, typically below 18.5, due to extreme caloric restriction and prolonged starvation.
• Sodium level: A sodium level of 134 mEq/L is slightly low and can occur in both bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa. In bulimia, frequent vomiting may cause sodium loss, while in anorexia, hyponatremia can develop from malnutrition, dehydration, or excessive water intake in attempts to suppress appetite or manipulate weight.
• Hand findings: Calluses on the index and middle fingers, known as Russell’s sign, are associated with bulimia nervosa. These result from repeated trauma during induced vomiting episodes, as the hand comes into contact with the teeth. This finding is a classic physical sign of chronic purging behavior.