Health Care Utilization by Age Group Related

Review Health Care Utilization by Age Group related questions and content

A nurse is providing care for a patient with anorexia nervosa who has refused to eat. What is the nurse's priority intervention?

  • A. Provide a structured meal plan and encourage the patient to eat.
  • B. Allow the patient to skip meals to avoid overwhelming them.
  • C. Focus on addressing body image concerns before eating.
  • D. Monitor the patient's weight closely without intervention.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Provide a structured meal plan and encourage the patient to eat. This is the priority intervention because patients with anorexia nervosa often have a distorted perception of their body and food intake. By providing a structured meal plan, the nurse can help the patient establish a healthy eating routine. Encouraging the patient to eat is crucial to prevent further malnutrition and complications.

Choice B is incorrect because allowing the patient to skip meals can worsen their condition and reinforce unhealthy behaviors. Choice C is incorrect because addressing body image concerns should be done in conjunction with addressing the patient's nutritional needs. Choice D is incorrect because monitoring weight without intervening to address the underlying issue of refusal to eat is not sufficient in managing anorexia nervosa.