Eating Disorder Treatment Flashcards

Which medical complication is most associated with chronic laxative abuse in bulimia nervosa?

Answer: Hypokalemia

Chronic laxative abuse causes significant potassium loss through the GI tract, leading to hypokalemia.

A patient with ARFID avoids foods based on sensory characteristics. Which treatment approach is most evidence-based?

Answer: Cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention

CBT with exposure and response prevention helps patients gradually tolerate feared sensory properties of foods.

During refeeding of a severely malnourished anorexia patient, which electrolyte requires closest monitoring during the first 72 hours?

Answer: Phosphorus

Hypophosphatemia is the hallmark of refeeding syndrome and the electrolyte requiring most urgent monitoring.

In treating binge eating disorder (BED), which pharmacological agent is FDA-approved and works by reducing binge frequency?

Answer: Lisdexamfetamine

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is the only FDA-approved medication specifically indicated for moderate-to-severe BED.

A dietitian is using the 'Health at Every Size' (HAES) framework for a patient with an eating disorder. This approach prioritizes:

Answer: Intuitive eating and well-being over weight outcomes

HAES prioritizes health-promoting behaviors, intuitive eating, and psychological well-being independent of weight or BMI outcomes.

Which behavioral therapy component specifically targets the cycle of restricting → binging → purging in bulimia nervosa?

Answer: Regular eating and elimination of dietary restriction

Establishing a pattern of regular, structured eating breaks the restrict-binge-purge cycle that characterizes bulimia nervosa.

A teenager with anorexia nervosa is being treated using Family-Based Treatment (FBT). In Phase 1, who controls the patient's food intake?

Answer: The parents

In FBT Phase 1 (weight restoration), parents take full control of food choices and eating to externalize the illness from the patient.