Week 7

Question 1

Define an eating disorder

Answer 1

they encompass a number of disordered behaviours associated with issues around the intake of food and fluid

Question 2

Define anorexia nervosa

Answer 2

It is a condition where the individual fails to maintain acceptable weight in relation to their age and gender
-often associated with distorted body image and an intense fear of gaining weight despite being seriously underweight

Question 3

What are the signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa?

Answer 3

-restriction of energy intake relative to requirements leading to significantly low body weight in the context of age, sex, development trajectory and physical health
-intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat
-disturbance in the way in which one’s body weight or shape is experienced

Question 4

What are the clinical symptoms of anorexia nervosa?

Answer 4

deliberate weight loss resulting in low weight is the most common clinical symptom of anorexia nervosa

Question 5

Define bulimia nervosa

Answer 5

It is an eating disorder associated with the pattern of cognitive and behavioural issues related to body weight and food.
-the main features are the consumption of large quantities of food in a relatively short period of time
-the individual has no control over their binge eating behaviours or at the very least, feels that they ‘lack control’

Question 6

What are the signs and symptoms of bulimia nervosa?

Answer 6

Recurrent episodes of binge eating, all episodes of binge eating is characterised by
-eating in a discrete period of time (within 2 hour period), an amount of food that is larger than normal
-a sense of lack of control; overeating during the episode
-recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviours to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting misuse of laxatives, diuretics, fasting or excessive exercise

Question 7

What are the genetic factors in regards to the causes of eating disorders?

Answer 7

Increased likelihood if there is a history of MG condition such as:
-eating disorder
-depression
-substance use disorder

Question 8

What are the biological factors in regards to the causes of eating disorders?

Answer 8

-There is some evidence to suggest the genes responsible for regulating serotonin may be affected in individuals who develop an ED
-Puberty can also have a role in the development of an ED

Question 9

What are the environmental factors in regards to the causes of eating disorders?

Answer 9

-bullying
-a desire to fit a ‘body type’
-sporting/gym pressure
-poor self-image
-parental pressure
-family dysfunction

Question 10

What are the treatment options for eating disorder?

Answer 10

1. Pharmacological management:
   -antipsychotics (assist with increasing appetite)
   -antidepressants (comorbid depression)
2. Psychological interventions:
   -cognitive patterns in thinking about food
   -body image, family dynamics (attitudes towards food)

Question 11

What is the role of the nurse when caring for a person with an ED?

Answer 11

-goals of the ED management
-returning to and sustaining healthy body weight for their individual shape and size
-cessation of dysfunctional eating and behaviours such as binging, purging and over exercise
-medical stabilisation
-supervision of eating
-supervision of post eating for 30 mins
-risk assessment
-mental state examination
-blind weigh
-psychological interventions
-working alongside multidisciplinary team

Question 12

What is the SCOFF questionnaire?

Answer 12

It is a quick tool to recognise potential disordered eating behaviours.
-this provides baseline information that any health care clinician can obtain and identify ‘at risk’ individuals to assist with decision making process of specialist eating disorder