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Health Differences Across the Lifespan 2 Study Guide Substance Abuse Deterrents: Antabuse therapy blocks oxidation of alcohol; it is used for chronic alcoholics. It will result in a severe headache if the patient consumes alcohol. Klonopin therapy is used for myoclonic seizures, acute manic episodes, and schizophrenia. Side effects include respiratory depression, increased salivation, diplopia, and constipation. Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia is having a weight less than 85% of normal. It is an intense fear of weight gain and becoming “fat”. It also is characterized by distorted body image, where someone equates body size to self-worth. Patients want to become as thin as possible and refuse to maintain an appropriate weight. This can lead to death. It is most often diagnosed in females (up to 90%). It causes life-threatening health problems because of fluid and electrolyte imbalance or starvation. The patient is preoccupied with food intake and eats minimal amounts of food, often in a rigid and regimented manner, such as eating only three bites of lettuce or two mouthfuls of cereal. The patient denies hunger. Onset is in teen years and is frequently associated with a stressful life event. The patient is often an overachiever and experiences feelings of lack of control. Signs and symptoms include: • Decreased blood volume • Decreased blood pressure • Postural hypertension • Electrolyte imbalance • Emaciated appearance • A need to achieve and please others • Obsessive rituals concerning food • Refusal to eat • Decreased body temperature, pulse, and blood pressure • Cyanosis of extremities • Constipation • Tooth and gum degeneration • Dry skin and scalp • Numbness of extremities • Bone deterioration • Amenorrhea for at least three cycles • Sleep disturbances Diagnosis: EKG changes with non-specific ST interval; prolonged PR interval; T-wave changes; elevated BUN Treatment: Individual therapy to correct distorted body image and excessive need to control; nutritional counseling, family therapy, and weight maintenance all may be needed to avoid complications; patient may need tube feedings; nursing interventions can include a contract for the amount to be eaten; prevent the patient fromusing the bathroom for two hours after eating to prevent vomiting; help the patient identify coping mechanisms for dealing with anxiety Bulimia Bulimia is recurrent binge eating and awareness of an abnormal eating pattern. It is a fear of not being able to stop eating voluntarily. There is an increased mood while eating, and decreased mood when stopped from eating. Patients generally sleep after eating, and may vomit when the binge is over. The patient experiences conflict between perceived loss of control and a need for control, as well as guilt from binge-purge cycles. The patient may exhibit mood swings. The patient is at risk for self-

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