Question

ANOREXIA NERVOSA CASE STUDY Joyce Mann is a 23-year-old female admitted to the psychiatric unit last night after assessment and treatment at a local hospital emergency room for "blacking out at school". She has been given a preliminary diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. As you begin to assess her, you notice that she is very loose clothing and is wrapped in a blanket. She tells you, "I don't know why I am here. They are making a big deal out of nothing", She appears to be extremely thin and pale, with very thin and brittle hair and constantly complaining about being cold. As you question her about her weight and nutrition, she becomes defensive and vague, but she does admit to loosing "some weight" after an appendectomy two (2) years ago. She tells you that she used to be fat, but after her surgery she did not feel like eating and everybody began to comment on how good she was beginning to look, so she just quit eating for awhile. She tells you that she is eating better now even though everyone keeps "bugging" her about her weight and how much she eats. She eventually admits to a weight loss of about 40 pounds and "I'm still fat." 1. Explain how the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa was made based on the patients presenting symptoms. State the clinical symptoms of anorexia nervosa. 2. 3. List the concomitant disorders associated with anorexia nervosa Identity a list of additional behaviors the patient may engage in that would enhance her weight loss other than self starvation. 4. List the common family dynamics associated with anorexia nervosa. 5. What are the clinical symptoms that should have the highest priority? 6. A care plan is developed for this patient which is very detailed and includes many psychological aspects. 7. List seven (7) psychological aspects you should consider when developing the care plan. Miss Mann is ready for discharge teaching and you are the nurse completing her teaching. Miss Mann states "I'll be so glad to get out of this place. I'm so fat and ugly. I can't wait to lose 10 pounds. I bet I can do that in a couple of days. I don't want to live anymore" 8. Explain the points you would discuss with the primary Miss Mann's statements... provider based on care You report Miss Mann's statements to the primary care provider

Answer 1

Answer: The diagnosis of the anorexia nervosa was made on the basis of patient's symptoms as the patient is pale and thin. The patient has very brittle hair.

Clinical symptoms of the anorexia nervosa:

1. Fatigue and weakness
2. Brittle nails
3. Excessive weight loss
4. amenorrhea
5. Constipation

The concomitant disorder of anorexia nervosa also includes the cardiac problems such as cardiac dysrhythmia as well as metabolic abnormalities.

Excessive workload, indulgence of physical activities and the malnutrition also effects the weight loss.