Question

A nurse is receiving the chart of an adolescent client who has been admitted to the unit. When reading the progress notes above, the nurse sees a laboratory result that indicates a condition consistent with a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa. Which condition does the nurse suspect?

Answer 1

A nurse reviewing a lab result consistent with bulimia nervosa would likely suspect an electrolyte imbalance, a common complication of this eating disorder.

Step-by-step explanation:

The condition a nurse might suspect when seeing a laboratory result for an adolescent patient admitted with suspected bulimia nervosa would likely be an electrolyte imbalance. This is because bulimia nervosa is characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as purging through vomiting, which can lead to the loss of electrolytes. Individuals with bulimia nervosa often have normal weight but may suffer from a range of health problems, including electrolyte imbalances and irregular heartbeat which are severe medical concerns that require proper treatment.