A 19-year-old female is admitted to the emergency department after being found unconscious. Her blood pressure is 82/50 mm Hg. She is 5'4" tall and weights 35.8 kg. She appears dehydrated and malnourished. After regaining consciousness, she reports that she has had trouble eating lately and can't remember what she ate in the last 24 hours. She also states that she has had irregular menstrual period for the past one year. She is convinced she is fat and refuses food. The nurse suspects that she is a case of

A 19-year-old female is admitted to the emergency department after being found unconscious. Her blood pressure is 82/50 mm Hg. She is 5'4" tall and weights 35.8 kg. She appears dehydrated and malnourished. After regaining consciousness, she reports that she has had trouble eating lately and can't remember what she ate in the last 24 hours. She also states that she has had irregular menstrual period for the past one year. She is convinced she is fat and refuses food. The nurse suspects that she is a case of Correct Answer Anorexia nervosa

Concept:

• Anorexia nervosa is a disorder characterized by:
  • Weight loss
  • Extreme thin appearance
  • Fasting
  • Restricting calories
  • Nutritional deficines
  • Fatigue
  • Irregular heart rhythm
  • Low blood pressure
  • Dehydration
  • Absence of menses.

Explanation:

• Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by extreme weight loss.
• Schizophrenia is a thought disorder characterized by hallucinations.
• Bulimia nervosa is also an eating disorder characterized by binge eating. Later, the individual either induces vomit or takes laxatives.
• Reactive depression is also known as situational depression. It occurs in response to an external problem or stressor.