A nurse is providing care for a patient with an eating disorder. The patient states, "I feel so fat and disgusting." Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

Choice A rationale:

Allowing the client to continue avoiding meals to reduce stress is not a suitable nursing intervention. It perpetuates the unhealthy behavior and does not contribute to the client's recovery.

Choice B rationale:

Providing positive reinforcement for not eating to encourage progress is also not appropriate. Positive reinforcement should be directed towards healthy behaviors rather than reinforcing the avoidance of meals.

Choice C rationale:

Supervising meals and snacks to prevent food refusal or hiding is an essential nursing intervention. Patients with eating disorders often engage in secretive behaviors related to food, so supervision helps ensure that they are receiving the necessary nutrition and support their recovery.

Choice D rationale:

Advising the client to eat alone to avoid social pressure is not a recommended intervention. Eating disorders thrive on isolation, and encouraging the client to eat alone could exacerbate the issue.

The correct answer is choice B, D, and E.

Choice A rationale:

Administering pain management medications is not typically a direct intervention for eating disorders unless the patient has a comorbid condition that requires pain management. Eating disorders primarily require nutritional, psychological, and physiological interventions.

Choice B rationale:

Providing nutritional education is a fundamental intervention for patients with eating disorders. It helps them understand the importance of balanced nutrition and addresses any misconceptions about food and diet that may contribute to their condition.

Choice C rationale:

Assisting with wound care may be necessary if the patient has self-inflicted wounds or other injuries, but it is not a standard nursing intervention for eating disorders unless there are specific complications that require such care.

Choice D rationale:

Recommending meditation techniques can be beneficial for patients with eating disorders as it can help reduce anxiety, improve stress management, and promote a more positive body image and self-esteem.

Choice E rationale:

Monitoring vital signs is crucial for patients with eating disorders due to the potential for severe physiological complications such as electrolyte imbalances, cardiac issues, and other vital sign instabilities that can arise from malnutrition and the behaviors associated with eating disorders.