Author Question: A client, age 18 years, is referred to the mental health center by the primary care physician. The ... (Read 176 times)

jenna1 · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A client, age 18 years, is referred to the mental health center by the primary care physician. The
following history is given. The client and her mother began to visit colleges to which the client had
applied.

When not traveling, the client spent the summer cooking gourmet meals for her family.
Eventually, the mother noticed that the client was eating only tiny portions of the food, saying she
wasn't hungry because she had tasted while she cooked. She began wearing several layers of loose
clothing, saying she liked the style. At summer's end the client had a physical examination for the
school sports program. Her weight had dropped from 130 to 95 pounds and she had amenorrhea. The
history and symptoms are most consistent with the medical diagnosis of
a. anorexia nervosa.
b. bulimia nervosa.
c. binge eating.
d. eating disorder not otherwise specified.

Question 2

A psychiatric nurse with 3 years of inpatient experience has been assigned to work in a medication
follow-up clinic beginning Monday. The clinic sees culturally diverse clients.

To prepare for work in
the clinic it would be advisable for the nurse to
a. review the literature on cultural differences in client responses to psychotropic
medications.
b. read a handbook on the various health beliefs of members of diverse cultures.
c. contact the clinical nurse specialist for guidelines for cultural competence.
d. take a course in psychopharmacology.

medine · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A
Overcontrol of eating behaviors, extreme weight loss, amenorrhea, preoccupation with food, and
wearing several layers of loose clothing to appear larger are part of the clinical picture of an
individual with anorexia nervosa. Option B: The bulimic individual usually is near normal weight.
Option C: The binge eater is often overweight. Option D: The client with eating disorder not
otherwise specified may be obese.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
A nurse with 3 years' experience working on a mental health inpatient unit can be assumed to be
familiar with the action and side effects of most commonly prescribed psychotropic medications.
However, because culturally diverse clients are seen in the clinic, reviewing cultural differences in
client response to these medications could be helpful. One such difference is the development of
extrapyramidal side effects at lower drug doses in Asian clients. Options B and C: Neither is
sufficient to produce cultural competence. Option D: This might be helpful in the long run, but the
nurse begins work at the clinic on Monday.