A nurse is collecting data from a client who has anorexia nervosa. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an expected outcome of treatment?

Anorexia nervosa is a serious psychiatric condition associated with severe malnutrition, endocrine dysfunction, and multi-system complications. Treatment focuses on restoring nutritional status, stabilizing vital signs, and correcting hormonal imbalances. As recovery progresses, physiological functions suppressed by starvation begin to normalize. One key indicator of effective treatment is the return of normal reproductive function. Rationale: A. The development of lanugo is a sign of chronic starvation and the body’s attempt to conserve heat in response to fat loss. It indicates worsening or ongoing malnutrition rather than improvement. Therefore, its presence reflects an untreated or poorly managed condition rather than a treatment outcome. B. A blood pressure of 88/59 mm Hg indicates hypotension, which is commonly seen in malnourished clients due to reduced cardiac output and fluid volume depletion. This is not an expected outcome of treatment, as effective management should result in stabilization and improvement of blood pressure toward normal ranges. C. A heart rate of 54/min represents bradycardia, which is a common physiologic response to starvation and decreased metabolic demand. It may be present during illness, but it is not a desired treatment outcome. Successful treatment would lead to normalization of heart rate as nutritional status improves. D. Resumption of menstruation is an expected and positive outcome of treatment in anorexia nervosa. Restoration of adequate body fat and hormonal balance allows normalization of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. This indicates improved nutritional status and recovery of endocrine function, making it a key marker of effective therapy.