HESI Mental Health Practice Exam Related

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A 19-year-old female client with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa wants to help serve dinner trays to other clients on a psychiatric unit. What action should the nurse take?

  • A. Encourage the client's self-motivation by asking her to assist with other activities.
  • B. Provide an alternative suggestion for the client to participate in the unit's activities.
  • C. Allow the client to serve dinner trays to other clients but monitor closely for any signs of distress.
  • D. Explain to the client that she needs to focus on her own recovery and cannot participate in serving dinner trays.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Clients with anorexia should not be allowed to plan or prepare food for unit activities, as this can reinforce their perception of self-control. Allowing the client to serve dinner trays (C) may trigger distress or unhealthy behaviors. Therefore, it is best to provide an alternative suggestion for the client to participate in the unit's activities (B). Encouraging the client to assist with other activities (A) may inadvertently reinforce negative behaviors related to food. Explaining to the client that she cannot participate in serving dinner trays (D) without offering an alternative does not address the client's desire to help and may lead to feelings of rejection.