The psychiatric nurse is caring for a teenager with anorexia nervosa. The teenager has a body mass index of 15.2 kg/m². Which assessment would be the priority for this client?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The priority is to assess for self-harm. Suicide and cardiopulmonary arrest are the leading cause of death for individuals with anorexia nervosa. These individuals tend to commit suicide with highly lethal means in which rescue is unlikely. Nurses need to pay special attention to the risk of suicide with these individuals. A significant number of individuals with eating disorders also self-injure without suicide attempts. Although assessing for Russell's sign, an indication of self-vomiting behavior, monitoring vital signs, and observing for obsessive-compulsive symptoms are important, they are not the priority.

The Psychiatric Nurse Is Caring for a Teenager with Anorexia