In caring for an anorexic patient, which initial step is essential?

In caring for an anorexic patient, which initial step is essential?

• A. Determine the patient daily calorie requirement
• B. Monitor weight at same time every day with same scale and clothes
• C. Limit exercise initially because they are obsessed
• D. Reflecting with the patient on triggers

Answer: (A)

The key idea is to set a concrete nutrition target by determining the patient’s daily calorie requirement. This provides an individualized starting point for safe weight restoration, which is the central goal in treating anorexia. Knowing the starting caloric need allows you to build a gradual refeeding plan that supports weight gain while watching for complications like refeeding syndrome and guiding progress over time. Once the caloric target is established, other steps fit into the ongoing plan: monitoring weight at the same time with the same scale and clothes helps track response to intake; limiting exercise reduces energy expenditure to support weight gain; and talking with the patient about triggers supports behavior change. But without a specific calorie target, there’s no solid, actionable foundation for the restoration process.

The key idea is to set a concrete nutrition target by determining the patient’s daily calorie requirement. This provides an individualized starting point for safe weight restoration, which is the central goal in treating anorexia. Knowing the starting caloric need allows you to build a gradual refeeding plan that supports weight gain while watching for complications like refeeding syndrome and guiding progress over time. Once the caloric target is established, other steps fit into the ongoing plan: monitoring weight at the same time with the same scale and clothes helps track response to intake; limiting exercise reduces energy expenditure to support weight gain; and talking with the patient about triggers supports behavior change. But without a specific calorie target, there’s no solid, actionable foundation for the restoration process.