NUR 114 #4 eating & personality disorders

What is anorexia?

Refusal or inability to maintain normal body weight

Symptoms of anorexia?

Fear of gaining weight, disturbed body image, preoccupation with food, ritualistic behaviors, excessive exercise

What is bulimia?

Recurrent binge eating followed by purging

Clinical manifestations of anorexia?

Low body weight, amenorrhea, hypothermia, lanugo, hair loss, dry skin, dental carries, pedal edema, bradycardia, enlarged parotid glands, electrolytes imbalance

Bulimia clinical manifestations?

Normal body weight, translucent teeth, enamel destruction, ragged or chipped teeth

Indications for treatment?

Fasting, skipping meals, refusing to eat with people, two missed periods, weight loss, binge eating episodes, purging episodes, excessive exercise, unwillingness to eat unhealthy foods, extreme calorie counting or portion control

Anorexia treatment options?

Inpatient, psychotherapy, CBT, family therapy, increase calories, meds

Bulimia treatment options?

Outpatient, CBT, meds

Nursing priorities?

Restore healthy weight and eating habits, improve self esteem and coping, correct fluid and electrolytes imbalances

Nursing actions?

Encourage them to eat with others, monitor them when going to bathroom during eating times, encourage them to express their feelings, calorie/food diary, be nonjudgmental and therapeutic, help them discover their strengths

What is personality disorder?

Impairments of personality functioning and traits that are maladaptive

What is borderline personality disorder?

Instability in relationships, self image, mood and impulse control. Intense fear of abandonment, splitting, self injury, SI, chronic emptiness

What’s the main treatment for personality disorders?

Psychotherapy

What meds treat aggression?

Lithium, valproate, and antipsychotics

What meds are used for emotional lability and atypical depression?

Carbamazepine, antipsychotics, MAOIS, SSRIS

Nursing actions for BPD?

Teach effective communication skills, help them cope and control emotions, reshape their thinking and structure their daily activities