Age Specific Care Competency Related

Review Age Specific Care Competency related questions and content

A nurse is caring for a patient with bulimia nervosa who has not eaten for 24 hours. The nurse should first:

  • A. Encourage the patient to eat a full meal immediately.
  • B. Assess the patient's vital signs and hydration status.
  • C. Provide the patient with a menu to select food for the next meal.
  • D. Contact the physician for a medication prescription.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because assessing vital signs and hydration status is crucial in identifying potential complications from prolonged fasting in a patient with bulimia nervosa. This step helps determine the patient's immediate needs for intervention and guides further care planning. Encouraging the patient to eat a full meal immediately (Choice A) may lead to refeeding syndrome due to electrolyte imbalances. Providing a menu for the next meal (Choice C) is not the priority when the patient has not eaten for 24 hours. Contacting the physician for a medication prescription (Choice D) is not necessary at this point without first assessing the patient's current physical status.