RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2015
Mental Health Nursing
Easy

Anorexia nervosa complications are?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2015

Explanation

  • Anorexia nervosa involves severe self-starvation and often purging, leading to widespread physiological complications.
  • This option correctly lists the most acute and life-threatening issues: hypokalemia (a specific, dangerous electrolyte imbalance), dehydration, anemia, and the general category of electrolyte imbalance.
  • Hypokalemia from purging is a primary cause of fatal cardiac arrhythmias in these patients.
  • Dehydration and anemia are direct consequences of inadequate intake of fluids and essential nutrients.
  • Electrolyte imbalances disrupt critical functions of the heart, brain, and muscles, representing a medical emergency.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option B: Anorexia nervosa is defined by a body weight that is significantly below what is minimally normal or expected, not obesity. Obesity is the opposite of a core feature of the disorder.
  • Option C: This option is incomplete. While protein deficiency, dehydration, and anemia are indeed complications, it omits the most acutely life-threatening issue of electrolyte imbalances (especially hypokalemia), which is a hallmark of the disorder, particularly the binge-eating/purging type.
  • Option D: This option is also incomplete. It focuses on nutritional deficiencies but fails to include the critical fluid and electrolyte disturbances that are a primary cause of mortality and require immediate medical intervention.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Medical Complications of Anorexia Nervosa as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • The highest nursing priority for a patient with severe anorexia nervosa is monitoring for and correcting electrolyte imbalances and dehydration to prevent cardiac arrest.
  • Nurses must be vigilant for signs of Refeeding Syndrome when nutritional support is initiated. This is a potentially fatal shift in fluids and electrolytes that can occur in malnourished patients.
  • Patient safety involves close supervision during and after meals to prevent purging behaviors, which directly contribute to dangerous electrolyte losses.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the core pathology of the question. Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric disorder characterized by severe self-induced starvation and an intense fear of weight gain.
  • Recognize that complications can arise from both starvation and compensatory behaviors (like purging).
  • Evaluate each option for accuracy. Immediately eliminate any option that contradicts the fundamental nature of the disorder. 'Obesity' is the direct opposite of the clinical presentation of anorexia nervosa.
  • Compare the remaining plausible options. Look for the option that includes the most comprehensive and life-threatening complications.
  • Prioritize electrolyte imbalances (especially hypokalemia) and dehydration, as these are the most common causes of acute medical instability and death in patients with anorexia nervosa.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Medical Complications of Anorexia Nervosa
  • Stem keywords: Anorexia nervosa, complications
  • Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
  • Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QLKpdMcXOytY1J3uA8YyTs

Reference Book

E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) pp. 1509-1511, 1501-1503

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 6935-6937

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