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    Mental health proctored exam

    Which assessment finding for a patient diagnosed with anorexia nervosa meets the criteria for hospitalization?

    Explanation & Rationale

    A. Systolic blood pressure 58 mmHg: Severe hypotension is a critical finding in anorexia nervosa and meets criteria for hospitalization. It indicates cardiovascular compromise due to malnutrition and fluid/electrolyte imbalance, placing the patient at high risk for shock or cardiac arrest. B. Pulse rate 60 beats/min: A heart rate of 60 is at the lower end of normal. Although bradycardia is common in anorexia, this value alone does not require immediate hospitalization unless it drops below 40–50 beats/min with symptoms. C. Serum potassium 3.7 mEq/L: This potassium level is within the normal range (3.5–5.0 mEq/L). Electrolyte disturbances, particularly hypokalemia, are common in anorexia but this value does not indicate urgent medical instability. D. Urine output 40 mL/hr: This output is considered adequate, as the minimum acceptable urine output is 30 mL/hr. It suggests that renal perfusion is currently maintained and does not independently warrant hospitalization.

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