A patient with paranoid personality disorder is noted to sit alone in a corner of the unit living room. When anyone approaches, the patient is haughty or simply ignores the other person. When staff invite her to join an activity, she tells them, 'I do not care to be with people who do not like me.' A nursing diagnosis that should be considered is:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: impaired social interaction. This patient's behavior of sitting alone, being haughty, and refusing to engage with others indicates difficulty in social interactions. The patient's belief that others do not like her also suggests social challenges. Impaired social interaction relates to difficulty in establishing or maintaining relationships. A: Splitting is a defense mechanism where the patient views people as all good or all bad, which is not evident in this scenario. B: Activity intolerance refers to insufficient physiological or psychological energy to endure or complete required or desired daily activities. This does not apply here. C: Powerlessness refers to the perception of lack of control over a situation, which is not the primary issue in this case.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Purging in bulimia nervosa involves self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives, leading to fluid and electrolyte loss. This can result in dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and potentially life-threatening complications like cardiac arrhythmias. Increased appetite and weight gain (B) are less likely due to purging. Improved digestion and nutrient absorption (C) are not associated with frequent purging. High blood pressure and rapid heart rate (D) may occur in severe cases but are not the most likely complication.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Dental erosion and swollen parotid glands are common physical signs in patients with bulimia nervosa. Dental erosion is caused by repeated exposure of teeth to stomach acid during purging. Swollen parotid glands result from repeated vomiting. Hypotension and bradycardia (A) are more common in anorexia nervosa. Rapid weight gain and increased appetite (C) are not typical in bulimia nervosa; rather, patients often maintain a normal weight. Severe muscle wasting and low body temperature (D) are not commonly associated with bulimia nervosa.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: To eliminate binge-purge episodes and restore healthy eating habits. This goal is appropriate as it addresses the core issue of bulimia nervosa, which is the cycle of bingeing and purging. By focusing on eliminating these episodes and promoting healthy eating habits, the patient can achieve long-term recovery. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not address the underlying psychological and behavioral aspects of bulimia nervosa. Weight loss and body image issues (B) may exacerbate the disorder, monitoring calorie intake and restricting food consumption (C) can reinforce the cycle of bingeing and purging, and encouraging excessive exercise (D) can lead to further health complications.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Identify feelings of sadness related to the failed relationship. This is the priority outcome because the client's current symptoms of depression, such as inability to sleep, poor concentration, and loss of energy, are likely related to the breakup. By identifying and processing feelings of sadness, the client can begin to work through the grief and emotional distress caused by the failed relationship, which can help alleviate the depressive symptoms. Choice A (Demonstrate assertive behavior) is not the priority outcome as the client's primary issue is related to depression and processing emotions, not assertiveness. Choice B (Express hope for developing a new relationship in the future) may be important for the client's overall well-being, but it is not the immediate priority for addressing the current depressive symptoms. Choice D (List three new ways to reduce stress) may be helpful in managing symptoms, but it does not address the core issue of processing emotions related to the breakup.