Eating Disorders

Question 1

What will a patient look like with binge disorder?

Answer 1

• obese, binges food- can’t control it, high BMI

Question 2

What will a patient with anorexia look like?

Answer 2

• very thin either by method of restriction or over exercise
• low BMI

Question 3

What will a patient with bulimia look like?

Answer 3

• usually NORMAL BMI

Question 4

Tx for anorexia

Answer 4

antipsychotic with CBT; unless patient’s anorexia is caused by OCD, then the patient should be placed on an SSRI or SNRI

Question 5

Tx for bulimia

Answer 5

SSRI/SNRI and psychotherapy

Question 6

Which medication should you NEVER give to a bulimia patient? And why?

Answer 6

• buproprion

- it lowers the seizure threshold and patients who are throwing up are already at a lower seizure threshold than normal

Question 7

A patient with bulimia whose primary method of purging is emesis, what can labs show?

Answer 7

• low K and Mg

- possibly lead to metabolic alkalosis

Question 8

A patient with bulimia whose primary method of purging is laxatives, what can labs show?

Answer 8

• metabolic acidosis

Question 9

What are some physical findings in a patient with bulimia?

Answer 9

• parotid swelling
• dorsal hand abrasions/scars
• dental erosions

Question 10

When should you hospitalize a patient with anorexia?

Answer 10

• BMI is 16 or less

- bradycardia or hypotension–> patient is hemodynamically unstable