A 16-year-old client with anorexia nervosa is on an inpatient psychiatric unit. She has a fear of gaining weight and is refusing to eat sufficient amounts to maintain body weight for her age, height, and stature. To assist with the problem of powerlessness and plan for the client to no longer need to withhold food to feel in control, the nurse uses the following strategy:
- Establish a structured environment with routine tasks and activities. Also, serve meals at the same time each day.
- Distract the client during meals to get her to eat because she must take in sufficient amounts to keep from starving.
- Do frequent room checks to be sure that the client is not hiding food or throwing it away.
- Listen attentively and participate in in-depth discussions about food, because these actions may encourage her to eat.
Answer(s): A
Explanation:
(A) Anorexia nervosa clients feel out of control. Providing a structured environment offers safety and comfort and can help them to develop internal control, thus reducing their need to control by self-starvation. (B) Distraction does not focus on the client's need for control. (C) Doing frequent room checks reinforces feelings of powerlessness and the need to continue with the dysfunctional behavior. (D) Participating in long discussions about food does not make the client want to eat, but rather this strategy allows her to indulge in her preoccupation and to continue with the dysfunctional behavior.
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