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

body diagram illustrating the systemic effects of anorexia nervosa. It should highlight the heart bradycardia, arrhythmias, blood anemia, leukopenia, GI tract delayed empty...
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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