(Question from external source) What is the first priority in the treatment of anorexia nervosa?
Stabilizing the patient's physical condition.
Addressing the psychological aspects of the disorder.
Preventing relapse and maintaining recovery.
Providing ongoing follow-up care.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
In the treatment of anorexia nervosa, stabilizing the patient's physical condition takes precedence as the first priority. Individuals with anorexia often experience severe weight loss, malnutrition, electrolyte imbalances, and other medical complications that can be life-threatening. Therefore, the initial focus is on restoring the patient's health and preventing any immediate physical harm.
Choice B rationale:
While addressing the psychological aspects of the disorder is crucial, it comes after stabilizing the patient's physical condition. Psychological interventions, therapy, and counseling are essential components of treatment, but they can be more effective once the individual's body is in a more stable and nourished state.
Choice C rationale:
Preventing relapse and maintaining recovery is an important long-term goal in treating anorexia nervosa, but it is not the first priority. After stabilizing the patient's physical health, efforts are directed toward helping the individual develop coping strategies, address distorted body image, and establish healthier eating patterns to prevent relapse in the future.
Choice D rationale:
Providing ongoing follow-up care is important throughout the recovery process, but it is not the primary focus in the initial treatment of anorexia nervosa. Once the patient's physical condition is stabilized, follow-up care becomes valuable for monitoring progress, adjusting treatment strategies, and providing continued support.
Questions
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
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.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The main goal of treatment for eating disorders is to correct nutritional deficiencies and address medical complications. Many individuals with eating disorders suffer from severe malnutrition due to inadequate food intake, and this can lead to a range of medical issues such as electrolyte imbalances, cardiac problems, and organ dysfunction. Prioritizing the correction of these physical health issues is essential to ensure the patient's immediate well-being and prevent further deterioration.
Choice B rationale:
While restoring normal eating patterns is an important aspect of treating eating disorders, it is not the main goal. Normalizing eating habits and reestablishing a healthy relationship with food are crucial steps in the recovery process, but these efforts often come after addressing the immediate medical concerns.
Choice C rationale:
Addressing underlying psychological issues is an integral part of eating disorder treatment, but it is not the main goal as specified in the question. Psychological issues like distorted body image, low self-esteem, and anxiety play a significant role in perpetuating eating disorders. Therapeutic interventions and counseling are employed to tackle these underlying issues, but they are typically part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes medical stabilization.
Choice D rationale:
Preventing relapse is an important long-term goal in eating disorder treatment, but it is not the primary focus when considering the immediate and acute phase of treatment. Relapse prevention strategies become more prominent as patients progress in their recovery journey and work towards maintaining their newfound health and well-being.
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