Nursing outcomes, interventions, and Patient teaching for Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a clinical syndrome in which the person has a morbid fear of obesity. It is characterized by the individual’s gross distortion of body image, preoccupation with food, and refusal to eat. The disorder occurs predominantly in females

Goals/Objectives Nursing Care Plans for Anorexia Nervosa
Short-Term Goal
Client will gain weight (amount to be established by client, nurse, and dietitian) pounds per week
Long-Term Goal
By discharge from treatment, client will exhibit no signs or symptoms of malnutrition.

Key outcomes Nursing Care Plans for Anorexia Nervosa
The patient will:

• Engage in appropriate physical activities.
• Verbalize strategies to reduce anxiety.
• Express positive feelings about self.
• Resume a normal bowel elimination pattern.
• Demonstrate skills appropriate for age.
• Acknowledge change in body image.
• Maintain body temperature within the normal range.
• Achieve target weight.
• Demonstrate ability to practice two new coping behaviors.
• Participate in decision-making about care.
• Comply with the treatment regimen.
• Interact with family or friends.
• Fluid balance will remain stable, with intake equal to or greater than output.

Nursing interventions Nursing Care Plans for Anorexia Nervosa:

• If client is unable or unwilling to maintain adequate oral intake, physician may order a liquid diet to be administered via nasogastric tube. Nursing care of the individual receiving tube feedings should be administered according to established hospital procedures.
• Sit with client during mealtimes for support and to observe amount ingested, Client should be observed for at least 1 hour following meals. This time may be used by client to discard food stashed from tray or to engage in self- induced vomiting.
• During hospitalization, regularly monitor vital signs, nutritional status, and intake and output. Weigh the patient daily
• Negotiate an adequate food intake with the patient. Be sure that she understands that she'll need to comply with this contract or lose privileges.
• Frequently offer small portions of food or drinks if the patient wants them. itself.
• Anticipate a weight gain of about 1 lb/week.
• If edema or bloating occurs after the patient has returned to normal eating behavior, reassure her that this phenomenon is temporary
• Encourage the patient to recognize and assert her feelings freely.
• If a patient receiving outpatient treatment must be hospitalized, maintain contact with her treatment team to facilitate a smooth return to the outpatient setting.

Patient teaching Nursing Care Plans for Anorexia Nervosa

• Emphasize to the patient how improved nutrition can reverse the effects of starvation and prevent complications.
• Teach the patient how to keep a food journal, including the types of food eaten, eating frequency, and feelings associated with eating and exercise.
• Advise the pateint's family to avoid discussing food with him.