Final answer:
The most serious complication of anorexia nervosa that nurses should stress is the increased risk of mortality due to life-threatening health consequences such as bone loss, heart failure, and in extreme cases, death.
Step-by-step explanation:
Risk Factors and Complications of Anorexia Nervosa
When addressing the most serious complications of anorexia nervosa, it is critical to highlight the increased risk of mortality as the most severe.
This eating disorder is associated with a number of life-threatening health consequences, including bone loss, heart failure, kidney failure, and in severe cases, death.
The restriction of food typical in anorexia nervosa leads to extreme weight loss and can lead to amenorrhea (cessation of menses), which is a significant health concern in females.
Other serious health complications include the weakening of the heart and other muscles, abnormally low heart rate and blood pressure, and the risk of heart failure, which can result in death.
While other issues such as depression, ineffective family relationships, and coping skills are important, they are not as immediately life-threatening as the risk of mortality due to the physical complications associated with anorexia nervosa.
Ensuring that adolescents understand the grave risk to their physical health from anorexia nervosa is a key part of the education process.