Psychiatric Medications Q 75
Jerome who has an eating disorder often exhibits similar symptoms. Nurse Lhey would expect an adolescent client with anorexia to exhibit:
A. Affective instability
B. Dishered, unkempt physical appearance
C. Depersonalization and derealization
D. Repetitive motor mechanisms
Correct Answer: A. Affective instability
Individuals with anorexia often display irritability, hospitality, and a depressed mood. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder defined by restriction of energy intake relative to requirements, leading to significantly low body weight. Patients will have an intense fear of gaining weight and distorted body image with the inability to recognize the seriousness of their significantly low body weight.
Option B: Patients will report symptoms such as amenorrhea, cold intolerance, constipation, extremity edema, fatigue, and irritability. They may describe restrictive behaviors related to food like calorie counting or portion control, and purging methods, for example, self-induced vomiting or use of diuretics or laxatives. Many exercise compulsively for extended periods of time. Patients with anorexia nervosa develop multiple complications related to prolonged starvation and purging behaviors.
Option C: Depersonalization/derealization disorder is a type of dissociative disorder that consists of persistent or recurrent feelings of being detached (dissociated) from one’s body or mental processes, usually with a feeling of being an outside observer of one’s life (depersonalization), or of being detached from one’s surroundings (derealization). The disorder is often triggered by severe stress. Diagnosis is based on symptoms after other possible causes are ruled out. Treatment consists of psychotherapy plus drug therapy for any comorbid depression and/or anxiety.
Option D: Stereotyped motor behaviors are defined as repetitive, often rhythmic, movements that are topographically alike and that serve no obvious purpose or function (Lewis & Bodfish, 1998). Repetitive behaviors are diagnostic for autism spectrum disorders and common in related neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability.