Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Impulse Control Disorders no. 5029

Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Impulse Control Disorders no. 5029

QUESTION: A client whose husband just left her has a recurrence of anorexia nervosa. The nurse caring for her realizes that this exacerbation of anorexia nervosa results from the client's effort to:

✘O a.) manipulate her husband.
✓O b.) gain control of one part of her life.
✘O c.) commit suicide.
✘O d.) live up to her mother's expectations.

RATIONALE

RATIONALE: By refusing to eat, a client with anorexia nervosa is unconsciously attempting to gain control over the only part of her life she feels she can control. This eating disorder doesn't represent an attempt to manipulate others or live up to their expectations (although anorexia nervosa has a high incidence in families that emphasize achievement). The client isn't attempting to commit suicide through starvation; rather, by refusing to eat, she is expressing feelings of despair, worthlessness, and hopelessness.
NURSING PROCESS STEP: Assessment
CLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Psychosocial integrity
CLIENT NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: None
COGNITIVE LEVEL: Knowledge