Question

A 14 year old boy was admitted to the unit with concerns over his refusal to eat and severe weight loss. He reports he doesn't want to eat because he is afraid of gaining weight. As part of his treatment, the nurse is to weigh him daily. Which is the most appropriate way to conduct these weights?

A. Weigh all the patients together in order to normalize the routine.
B. Let him pick the time of day he is weighed in order to make him more comfortable.
C. Conduct blind weights so the patient is not aware his weight.
D. Weigh him at night after everyone else has gone to bed.

Answer 1

The most appropriate method for weighing a patient with an eating disorder and fear of weight gain is to conduct blind weights to minimize anxiety and fixation on numbers.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate way to weigh a 14-year-old boy who has been admitted with a refusal to eat and severe weight loss, and who is afraid of gaining weight, is C. Conduct blind weights so the patient is not aware of his weight. This method helps to reduce the patient's anxiety about his weight and can prevent him from fixating on the numbers, which could potentially exacerbate his issues with eating. Providing support professionally and sensitively is critical in caring for patients with eating disorders.