A nurse is assessing an adolescent who has anorexia nervosa. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Anorexia nervosa involves complex physiological adaptations to prolonged starvation and caloric restriction. Assessing an adolescent with this eating disorder requires knowledge of the endocrine and cardiovascular compensatory mechanisms the body utilizes to preserve core functions and maintain homeostasis during severe malnutrition. Choice A rationale Lanugo is the growth of fine, downy hair on the body as a compensatory mechanism for thermoregulation. Due to the loss of subcutaneous fat and low metabolic rate, the body grows this hair to help retain heat. Choice B rationale Fever is not expected; instead, hypothermia is common due to a decreased basal metabolic rate and lack of insulating adipose tissue. The body's temperature typically falls below the normal range of 36.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius. Choice C rationale Hypertension is unlikely in starvation states. Patients typically exhibit hypotension (blood pressure < 90/60 mmHg) because of decreased cardiac muscle mass and reduced intravascular volume, which are physiological consequences of chronic, inadequate caloric and fluid intake. Choice D rationale Tachycardia is not a standard finding in anorexia nervosa. Most patients exhibit bradycardia (heart rate < 60 beats per minute) as the heart decreases its workload and oxygen consumption to survive the chronic state of severe malnutrition.