Question

Concerning mealtimes, which intervention is appropriate when the nurse is working with clients with eating disorders?

A.) Stay with the client during meals, allowing him or her to take as long as needed to consume 90% of the meal.
B.) Encourage the client to journal all types, consistencies, and textures of foods, as well as nutritional information such as calories, fat grams, and carbohydrate amounts.
C.) Restrict the client's privileges if he or she does not consume at least 50% of the meal within 20 minutes.
D.) Remaining with the client for at least 1 hour after the meal to prevent discarding of stashed food or self-induced vomiting.

Answer 1

The most appropriate intervention when working with clients with eating disorders concerning mealtimes is to remain with the client for at least 1 hour after the meal to prevent any behaviors that would negate the intake of food, such as purging.

Step-by-step explanation:

Appropriate Intervention for Clients with Eating Disorders at Mealtimes:

Concerning mealtimes and working with clients with eating disorders, the most appropriate intervention among the options provided is D.) Remaining with the client for at least 1 hour after the meal to prevent discarding of stashed food or self-induced vomiting. This intervention is consistent with the comprehensive care that includes monitoring to ensure that the nutrition consumed is actually retained to help in the recovery process. It is standard practice in many treatment facilities for eating disorders to provide close supervision during and after mealtimes to prevent purging behaviors which can undermine treatment effectiveness. Treatment of eating disorders is multifaceted and may involve mental health counseling, medications, nutritional counseling, and sometimes hospitalization depending on the severity of the eating disorder. The goal of treatment is to help the client gain control of their eating and to establish normal eating habits and a healthy weight.

Moreover, nutritional counseling often emphasizes the importance of portion control, healthy food choices, and regular eating patterns, which can contribute to recovery. In contrast, options such as staying with the client until they consume 90% of their meal without a time constraint, encouraging detailed food journaling of everything consumed, or restricting privileges based on food intake, are not as universally recommended in treatment protocols as they might inadvertently contribute to the stress and focus on food that typifies eating disorders.