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. Sudden muscular contractions: Antipsychotics like haloperidol and chlorpromazine can cause extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), including acute dystonia, which manifests as sudden, involuntary muscle contractions typically affecting the face, neck, or back.

B. Orthostatic hypotension: Chlorpromazine, a low-potency typical antipsychotic, often causes orthostatic hypotension due to its alpha-adrenergic blockade, increasing fall risk, especially in older adults or those new to therapy.

C. Anticholinergic effects: These include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and urinary retention. Chlorpromazine is particularly known for its anticholinergic side effects due to its action on muscarinic receptors.

D. Tremors: Tremors are part of parkinsonian side effects, another form of EPS commonly caused by haloperidol. They result from dopamine blockade in the nigrostriatal pathway.

E. Sedation: Both haloperidol and chlorpromazine can cause sedation. Chlorpromazine is especially sedating due to its histamine (H1) receptor blockade, which depresses the CNS.

F. Increased urination: Not typically associated with these medications. In fact, anticholinergic effects from chlorpromazine more often lead to urinary retention, not increased urination.

Rationale for Correct Choices:

• Right forearm and fingers are edematous: Swelling of the forearm and fingers can indicate a possible fracture or soft tissue injury with vascular compromise. Edema in a closed injury raises concern for compartment syndrome, especially when accompanied by other neurovascular changes.
• Ecchymotic area on outer aspect of forearm: A single bruise near the site of injury is expected after trauma and not alarming by itself. However, the chils is presenting with other multiple injuries, thus need for further assessment.
• Child reports a mild "tingling" sensation: Paresthesia can signal early nerve compression or involvement, which may progress if not addressed. Combined with swelling and coolness, this finding suggests a risk of compartment syndrome.
• Pain level of 4/10: Although moderate, a pain level of 4 in a child presenting with multiple injuries warrants further investigations.
• Multiple areas of bruising in various stages of healing: Bruising at different stages of healing raises concern for non-accidental trauma (child abuse). This pattern is inconsistent with a single fall and warrants immediate follow-up under child protection protocols.

Rationale for Incorrect Choices

• Radial pulse +2: A normal radial pulse suggests adequate arterial blood flow to the extremity. Although useful, this does not exclude compartment syndrome and is not an urgent finding on its own.
• Respirations easy and unlabored and stable vital signs: These are all normal findings that indicate no immediate respiratory, gastrointestinal, or hemodynamic distress. They do not warrant urgent intervention at this time.
• Vital signs: Temperature, blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation are all within normal for the child’s age and support physiologic stability, hence no evidence of immediate systemic compromise.