Binge Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder
- Consumption of a large amount of calories, but no attempt to prevent weight gain.
- It is the most common eating disorder and affects women twice as often as men
Nursing Assessment
- Full physical examination
- Attention to weight for height and age, vital signs, skin integrity, cardiovascular system, and evidence of vomiting/laxative abuse, diet pills, or diuretics.
- Malnutrition: Twenty percent below expected weight for height recommended for inpatient treatment; 30 percent below expected weight for height recommended for long-term intensive treatment
- Dehydration: Assessment includes thirst, orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia, elevated sodium levels, and other symptoms
- Severe electrolyte imbalance: Potassium levels below 3 mmol/L; phosphate levels below 3 mg/dL; magnesium levels below 1.4 mEq/L
- Cardiac arrhythmias: ST segment and T wave changes usually related to electrolyte imbalances
- Severe bradycardia: Below 50 beats per minute
- Hypothermia: Body temperature below 96.8
- Hypotension: A pattern of low blood pressure or orthostatic hypotension (20 mm Hg or greater drop in systolic blood pressure with positional changes and pulse rate increase by 20 or more beats per minute)
- Suicidal ideation
- Attention to weight for height and age, vital signs, skin integrity, cardiovascular system, and evidence of vomiting/laxative abuse, diet pills, or diuretics.
- Dental examination
- Pay special attention to color and integrity of teeth. Abnormal wear and color can indication corrosion from excessive vomiting.
- Psychiatric history
- Include dietary history, substance use history, family assessment, and medication history