Question

A nurse in an outpatient clinic is reviewing the medical record of a client who has anorexia nervosa. What information in the client's medical record indicates that the client's condition is deteriorating?

1) Decreased body weight
2) Increased heart rate
3) Low blood pressure
4) Abnormal electrolyte levels

Answer 1

Critical signs of deterioration in anorexia nervosa include decreased body weight, low blood pressure, and abnormal electrolyte levels, all of which indicate a worsening of the patient's health condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

In reviewing a medical record for indications that a client with anorexia nervosa's condition is deteriorating, several critical signs should be assessed. These include:

• Decreased body weight: Continual loss of weight below a healthy range indicates a worsening condition.
• Increased heart rate: However, anorexia nervosa typically presents with a decreased heart rate due to the body's adaptation to malnutrition and reduced energy expenditure, not an increased one.
• Low blood pressure: Persistently low blood pressure can reflect cardiovascular complications due to malnutrition.
• Abnormal electrolyte levels: These indicate nutrient imbalances, which can lead to serious cardiac and neurological consequences.

Among these indicators, decreased body weight, low blood pressure, and abnormal electrolyte levels are all signs of a deteriorating condition in someone with anorexia nervosa.