Author Question: A patient diagnosed with anorexia nervosa virtually stopped eating 5 months ago and lost 25 of body ... (Read 59 times)

Wadzanai · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A patient diagnosed with anorexia nervosa virtually stopped eating 5 months ago and lost 25 of body weight. A nurse asks, Describe what you think about your present weight and how you look.

Which response by the patient is most consistent with the diagnosis?

a. I am fat and ugly.
b. What I think about myself is my business.
c. I'm grossly underweight, but that's what I want.
d. I'm a few pounds overweight, but I can live with it.

Question 2

A patient referred to the eating disorders clinic has lost 35 pounds during the past 3 months. To assess eating patterns, the nurse should ask the patient:

a. Do you often feel fat?
b. Who plans the family meals?
c. What do you eat in a typical day?
d. What do you think about your present weight?

ally · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Untreated patients with anorexia nervosa do not recognize their thinness. They perceive themselves to be overweight and unattractive. The patient with anorexia will usually tell people perceptions of self. The patient with anorexia does not recognize his or her thinness and will persist in trying to lose more weight.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Although all the questions might be appropriate to ask, only What do you eat in a typical day? focuses on the eating patterns. Asking if the patient often feels fat focuses on distortions in body image. Questions about family meal planning are unrelated to eating patterns. Asking for the patient's thoughts on present weight explores the patient's feelings about weight.