A nurse is creating a plan of care for a newly admitted client who has anorexia nervosa. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A reason: Allowing the client to eat in their room is not appropriate because clients with anorexia nervosa often isolate themselves and may attempt to avoid eating or hide food. Supervised meals in a communal or monitored setting are necessary to ensure adequate intake and prevent food avoidance behaviors. Choice B reason: Obtaining vital signs only once per day is insufficient. Clients with anorexia nervosa are at risk for severe complications such as bradycardia, hypotension, hypothermia, and electrolyte imbalances. Frequent monitoring is required to detect early signs of medical instability. Once daily vital signs would miss important changes. Choice C reason: Weighing the client daily after the first voiding is the correct intervention. This ensures consistency and accuracy in monitoring weight trends, as voiding eliminates the variable of bladder volume. Daily weights are essential for tracking progress, evaluating treatment effectiveness, and identifying rapid changes that may indicate medical risk. Choice D reason: Allowing the client to determine their daily calorie intake is inappropriate because individuals with anorexia nervosa often severely restrict calories. Nutritional intake must be carefully planned and supervised by the healthcare team to promote gradual weight restoration and prevent refeeding syndrome.