A school nurse is talking with a 13-year-old female at her annual health-screening visit. Which of the following comments made by the adolescent should be the nurse's priority to address?

A. Praise the client for looking at herself in a mirror.

While body image concerns are common in anorexia nervosa, praising the client for looking at herself in a mirror may inadvertently reinforce the focus on appearance and body image, which can be counterproductive.

B. Ask the client to agree to talk to a nurse whenever she feels the urge to exercise.

Explanation: For a client with anorexia nervosa, overexercising can be part of the unhealthy behaviors associated with the disorder. Collaborative communication is important in addressing and managing these behaviors. Asking the client to agree to talk to a nurse whenever the urge to exercise arises is a supportive approach. It allows the nurse to provide emotional support, explore the client's motivations and triggers for overexercising, and work together on finding healthier coping strategies.

C. Reprimand the client about the potential damage that has occurred due to overexercising her body.

Reprimanding the client may lead to feelings of guilt and shame, which are counterproductive in supporting recovery. A more empathetic and supportive approach is needed.

D. Restrict the client from being weighed.

Restricting the client from being weighed might exacerbate anxiety around weight gain and contribute to the client's preoccupation with weight. However, monitoring weight under the supervision of healthcare professionals is important in managing anorexia nervosa.

A. "Why are you feeling so down?"

This response could come across as confrontational or invasive, potentially making the client feel uncomfortable. The client has already expressed their desire not to talk at the moment, so pushing for an explanation may not be well-received.

B. "I’ll just sit here with you for a few minutes then."

Explanation:

This response shows empathy and support without pushing the client to talk or sharing personal experiences. It respects the client's desire for space and acknowledges their emotions without being intrusive. It provides a calming and non-intrusive presence, giving the client the option to open up if and when they are ready.

C. "I understand. I've felt like that before, too."

While sharing personal experiences can sometimes be helpful, in this context, it might inadvertently shift the focus from the client's emotions to the nurse's experiences. It's important to keep the focus on the client and their feelings.

D. "It might help you feel better if you talk about it."

Suggesting that talking might help is well-intentioned, but it might pressure the client into discussing their feelings when they have clearly stated their preference not to at that moment. The client's autonomy and comfort should be respected.