Physiological Adaptation Q 175

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You are taking the history of a 14-year-old girl who has a (BMI) of 18. The girl reports inability to eat, induced vomiting and severe constipation. Which of the following would you most likely suspect?

  

     A. Multiple sclerosis

     B. Anorexia nervosa

     C. Bulimia nervosa

     D. Systemic sclerosis

    

    

Correct Answer: B. Anorexia nervosa

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All of the clinical signs and symptoms point to a condition of anorexia nervosa. The key feature of anorexia nervosa is self-imposed starvation, resulting from a distorted body image and an intense, irrational fear of gaining weight, even when the patient is emaciated. Anorexia nervosa may include refusal to eat accompanied by compulsive exercising, self-induced vomiting, or laxative or diuretic abuse.

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Option A: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease in which the insulating covers of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged.

Option C: On the other hand, bulimia nervosa features binge eating followed by a feeling of guilt, humiliation, and self-deprecation. These feelings cause the patient to engage in self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives, or diuretics.

Option D: Systemic sclerosis or systemic scleroderma is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue.

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