ATI LPN
Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition
Chapter 70 : Caring for Clients With Eating Disorders Questions
Question 1 of 5
A teenager is being seen in the outpatient clinic after a fainting episode at home. The client's body mass index (BMI) is 16, and she reports no menses for the past 3 months. Which additional assessment finding would the nurse anticipate?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Severe malnutrition can result in temperature intolerance and feeling cold. Hypothermia is linked to the loss of subcutaneous fat. Lanugo may develop to assist in the maintenance of body temperature. Bradycardia is another physical symptom associated with anorexia nervosa. Clubbing of the fingers and toes is not indicated in eating disorders.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is providing a teaching seminar to a group of teenagers on the subject of healthy eating. A scale is used to calculate body mass index (BMI) for each individual participant. A participant asks the nurse if a BMI of 25 is normal.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The healthy interpretation of BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9. Knowing that teenagers are very susceptible to eating disorders and desire for thinness, the nurse takes the focus off the number (25) and addresses healthy lifestyle. BMI is only one tool used for anthropometric data collection. Ratio of fat to lean muscle mass is not included in BMI. A BMI of 30 is indicative of obesity and would not be considered ideal.
Question 3 of 5
A client who is diagnosed with anorexia nervosa agrees to participate in a recovery program. Which comment by the client indicates the best understanding of the recovery process?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Multiple biologic, psychological, and social factors influence the development of eating disorders. Recovery is considered a long and costly process, with fewer than 50% of clients achieving recovery over 5 years. Counseling and involvement in self-help groups for several years are often indicated. Because there is a link between eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder, this may be a lifelong recovery plan. Gaining a few pounds is an appropriate first step to recovery. Antidepressants are often used to control the serotonin levels associated with anorexia.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client with anorexia nervosa. What is the most important goal when planning care for this client?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In anorexia, electrolyte levels, especially potassium and sodium, are often dangerously low. Cardiac irregularities can be identified on electrocardiogram and are often directly linked to fluid and electrolyte imbalances that can lead to cardiac failure and death.
Therefore, it is paramount to correct fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Regaining lost weight, supporting healthy coping mechanisms, and improving self-esteem are all goals that are significant in the management of anorexia.
Question 5 of 5
A teenager who is attending a clinic for eating disorders has shown improvement in weight, but the laboratory values remain poor. Which behavior would the nurse identify as the likely cause of this finding?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Drinking large volumes of water prior to being weighed is manipulative behavior that is likely the cause of improved weight without improved laboratory values. Pushing food around the plate to distort amount of food eaten, inducing vomiting, and disposing of food are all forms of manipulation but would not account for improvement of weight.